Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory,
the victory, and the majesty.
Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours,
O Lord, and this is Your kingdom.
We adore You as the One who is over all things.
1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT
Series: The Gift of Faith
What is “glory” and how do you know if you see it?
The American Dictionary provides multiple definitions for the noun, “glory.” Some of these include: very great praise, honor, or distinction bestowed by common consent; renown; something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration; a distinguished ornament or an object of pride; adoring praise or worshipful thanksgiving; and resplendent beauty or magnificence.
It’s challenging to capture and express the magnificence wrapped up in that word. Yet, when we do see “glory,” it is often undeniable by the one beholding its splendor.
The beauty of the sunrise or sunset; the vastness of canyons, oceans, and mountains; the perfection of flowers; and the miracle of birth all illustrate glory. A bride adorned in her gown and jewels walking down the aisle to wed her groom displays glory. One excelling in his or her craft, purpose, or calling exhibits glory.
Psalm 19:1 tells us the heavens declare the glory of God. Isaiah 6:3 says the whole earth is full of God’s glory. In Luke 2:9, we read how the glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds as they learned of the coming of Jesus. John 1:14 teaches Jesus is the glory of God the Father, full of grace and truth. Hebrews 1:3 (NLT) expands on this description of glory:
The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
Jesus radiates the glory of God and expresses His character and He holds everything by the power of His word. That’s what glory looks like. We witness it in creation, in life, in death, in salvation, in miracles, in answered prayers, and in deeper revelation and understanding of God’s character.
However, there is one prerequisite to us beholding the glory of God. We learn this in John 11 when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus died four days before Jesus reached the tomb where he was buried. Martha and Mary mourned the death of their brother. Jesus also wept, and then He commanded the stone over the tomb to be rolled away. Martha was worried about the odor since decay would have set in. Jesus responded to Martha’s warning, saying:
“Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40 NASB)
Jesus then called to Lazarus, and Lazarus rose from the dead and walked out of the tomb, alive and well. Glory! It seems for all of those crowded around who witnessed this miracle, seeing was believing. Jesus, however, explained faith is imperative to see the glory of God. Believing precedes seeing.
Glory is not just witnessing miracles, although wonderful. It is believing in Jesus and His divine authority and power. We can experience glory on a human level in our natural world. But to see the glory of God, we must look beyond the physical and discern the spiritual realities of God’s character and work.
Faith allows us to behold God’s power and glory in impossible situations. Without faith, we might not notice God’s glory. Believing in God employs trust and expectant hope in His truth, grace, and mercy, and in His ability to act upon His word. To experience a greater revelation of the glory of God, we must believe.
So what is glory revealed? It looks like love, goodness, purity, victory, power, mercy, healing, restoration, grace, holiness, honor, peace, joy, beauty, patience, and life. It’s Creation, and all that is in the heavens and on the earth. It’s signs, wonders, miracles, and answered prayers. The prophet Isaiah wrote God created all who believe in Him for His glory (43:7). So if you believe, YOU display the glory of God in the earth.
Do you believe in God and that Jesus is the only Son of God? Then you, too, shall behold His glory.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: 1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 19:1; Isaiah 6:3, 43:7; Luke 2:9; John 1:14, 11