SetApart1

Let me Review:

1. Every true Christian wants to experience joy
2. Our problem is settling for joy that comes and goes too quick
3. Our joy and God’s glory are uniquely tied together
4. God’s glory is defined as the visible display of His value or worth

There are two ways of seeing the glory of God

There is a way in which we can see it…and there is a way in which we can see it but it can’t be seen. Now I know on reading this some may be thinking I’m missing not just my hand but a part of my brain too. Let me explain. 

Actually seeing God

Throughout the Bible we see many ways in which men and women encountered the glory of God.  Moses, the Bible tells was placed in a rock by God and saw the “after glow” of God’s glory as He passed by (Exodus 33:20-23). Isaiah went to church after the death of a friend and saw God in His glory sitting on His throne. Again the glory of God is the visible display of His value and worth. These men were allowed to actually SEE with their eyes the amazing, brilliant, beautiful and fearful display of God’s value and worth also known as His glory. At this point the word “glory” is so limited, so if you’re like me pictures help a lot.

God’s glory is INTENSE. We are told in Exodus that the sight of the glory of God was like devouring fire over the mountain (Exodus 24:17). Can you just imagine that scene? Would anyone just run up a mountain that is completely engulfed in flames? His glory is breath taking as it strikes fear in the heart from the sight of its all-consuming power.

God’s glory is HUGE. We are told that God’s glory was seen in the cloud and that it covered the whole mountain. Now, for those of us that live in L.A. have you ever seen the San Gabriel Mountains along the 210 freeway? On some days those mountains look big! Then there comes a storm and one, single cloud engulfs the same mountain range and makes them look small. The picture in Exodus is similar where God’s glory, seen as a cloud, covers the entire mountain and as it does the entire mountain is on fire.

God’s glory is OVERWHELMING. When inauguration day came for the Tabernacle in the Old Testament we are told that God’s glory began to fill the tent (Exodus 40:35) and the “filling” was so overwhelming that Moses had to run outside because he couldn’t take that amazing brilliance of God’s glory. Have you ever been in a room where either the noise or the lighting in the room was so loud or bright that you just could not take it anymore and had to get out? The noise or light had become so physically overwhelming that you just had to escape. Moses felt this same experience from God’s glory.

Now remember, they did not see God’s full glory. But what they experienced was enough to make big impacts on them. As a side note, believers will have an even better experience than any of these folks. John in his epistle tells us that one day we will see Jesus “as He is” (I John 3:2). Believers according to John’s epistle will be equipped to be able to see the glory of God in its full radiant, brilliant, and shining display without any “toning down”. Are we ready for that?

Now, we often read these accounts and look on with envy wishing we could have those exact same experiences. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to be like Moses having a private meeting face to face with God?  Having that experience would make me committed to personal morning devotions!  Without question seeing the glory of God burn up an entire mountain would scare the sin out of me! To be able to see God at church like Isaiah did would really ignite my worship.

These would be exciting and there is nothing wrong with the desire to actually see God in His glory because when it is seen and then delighted in it gives God even more glory. But here’s the problem…it doesn’t happen today, and if it does it only happens to a select few. Yet we look for the latest worship song, the latest preacher, or the newest crusade to make us in awe of God’s glory. And what happens…they don’t last! You put on the hit worship song and it doesn’t work. The crusades, you’re more annoyed by the crowds. The preacher, you begin to notice he repeats things a lot. So we move on to search and search never fully satisfied. Do you feel me? Have you experienced what I’m saying?

Well let me show you yet another way to see the glory of God that is not actually seen, at least not with your physcial eye. This requires a little work but the satisfaction, delight, and amazement is worth every effort!!!

Popularity: 57% [?]