“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”
“And the glory of the LORD will be revealed
and all mankind together
will see it.”
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:1,5 NIV
What does “The Glory of the Lord” look like? I imagine “The Glory
of the Lord” to be brilliantly bright! Our eyes do not allow us to look directly
into the sun, nor can we who are mere mortals, look directly upon God. When the
angel, accompanied by the heavenly host appeared to the shepherds what did the
shepherds really see? Did the heavenly
host illuminate the night sky or did they simply hover over the Bethlehem
On the night of Jesus’ birth, he left the splendor of heaven and came
near to humanity. God, who created this world, was now being created in the
form of a man. A baby fresh from heaven! God came into this world as a baby who
would be dependant upon a mother and a father to provide for his needs. From an
earthly perspective there was not much glory found in that stable. The baby in
the manger did not produce fear, nor did he shine so brightly that Mary and
Joseph could not look at him. Jesus was simply wrapped in swaddling clothes. Upon
their arrival at the stable, I doubt the shepherds saw a Christmas card picture
of the Holy family with halos surrounding the heads. Still, from a heavenly
perspective, this baby was clothed in the invisible “Glory of God”.
As believers, when we find Jesus and begin to follow him we experience
unspeakable joy that is full of God’s glory! As we begin our journey with
Jesus and we walk with him daily in a personal relationship, we are
overshadowed by “The Glory of the Lord”. This glory is permeated with God’s
amazing grace. The Bible tells us that now
we only see in part but someday we will see “The Glory of the Lord” as face to
face! As believers, we are free to worship our King. This relationship allows
us to be completely satisfied with Jesus because he fulfills all of our inner
longings and gives us peace in the midst of all of our circumstances when we
trust him. It is in this experience with the God of the universe that we
experience in some small way a foretaste of the divine. It is just a glimpse of
what is yet to come.
“The Glory of the Lord” looks like Jesus. It is important for us to
remember that it is our kind, encouraging, loving words and deeds that enable others
to have a sneak preview of “The Glory of the Lord”. “The Glory of the Lord” is also
reflected through our unexplainable and unspeakable joy! “The Glory of the
Lord” is seen by others when they observe unexplainable peace in our life in
the midst of adversity. “The Glory of the Lord” is displayed through our unshakable
faith in God and our love for God and others. We recognize “The Glory of the
Lord” in others and others recognize it in us. When others see Jesus through us
and we see Jesus in others, it is God who is glorified!
As we observe God at work in our world, we definitely get a taste of
his glory. When we observe God’s goodness in any situation wonderful things
happen. Lives are changed for the better, love is expressed, hearts are healed,
needs are met, hope is stirred, and in all of these scenarios “The Glory of the
Lord” is revealed!
When Jesus returns to this earth, his second coming will be noticed by
all. Unlike Jesus’ first visit to our planet when a sleeping world didn’t
even notice his arrival. However, when Jesus comes a second time to our world
he will rule and reign and his glory will be revealed! What will that look
like? “The Glory of the Lord” will be manifest in perfect peace, love, and joy.
Order, will be restored to this world and his glory will be evident. What man
could not accomplish will be accomplished by Jesus Christ and “The Glory of the
Lord” will be revealed to all those who rule and reign with him. Now we see
only the shadows of is glory but then we will see his glory face to face.
Take comfort in the fact that those who love this King of Glory will be
rewarded in heaven for all eternity. I believe that “The Glory of the Lord”
will be revealed in heaven in such a way that we will experience a brilliance
we have never known before. All the twinkling lights of Christmas will pale
compared to the glory of the Bright and Morning Star. “The Glory of the Lord”
will be revealed and reflected throughout all of heaven. When we experience the
streets of gold and the crystal sea, this will simply be reflections of “The
Glory of the Lord”. The truth is that in heaven there will be no need of the
sun because the Son will be the light. At this point in time my finite mind
can only pitifully imagine the full blown “Glory of the Lord” and what it will
be like when it is revealed. But because I belong to Jesus, I am not afraid. I
am comforted.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord Almighty, he is the King of
Glory! Embrace the comfort of this Christmas message. “The Glory of the Lord”
is found in none other than the Son, who came into this world as a baby to seek
and save the lost. Those who seek him find him. Do you know this King of glory,
who is Jesus Christ the Lord?
Questions:
- Does “The Glory of the Lord” intrigue you?
- How have you experienced “The Glory of the Lord” in your life?
- Have you seen “The Glory of the Lord” in someone else?
- Do you look forward to and long for the day when you will see the complete “Glory of the Lord” revealed?
Dear Father in Heaven,
Holy is your name. Thy kingdom
come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Father, to you alone
belong all power and all glory forever and ever! I stand amazed at your glory!
I am filled with inexpressible and incomprehensible thoughts when it comes to
understanding your glory. Yet, today I feel your glory in the form of love in
my life. I am in awe of this earthly shadow of your glory. I thank you God that
you have allowed me to experience a taste of your glory. Today I am full of
hope as I wait for that day when “The Glory of the Lord” will be completely revealed.
Father, I pray that I will be the kind of Christian that will be trusting and
obedient. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and pour me out to others unbeknown to
me. Pour me out to others in a pure way that is free of selfish pride. Use me
as you choose to reflect your glory to others. Restore in me the joy of my
salvation so that I might be used as a tool to reflect your glory. I do not
fear your glory because your glory is my comfort, my peace and my joy. I know
that sometimes circumstances are so devastating that I struggle to see your
glory, but still, my faith in what is unseen knows that you are always near. Someday
I will understand the things that are now hidden from me, but for now, I will
accept that some secrets belong to you alone. Father, Christmas is a perfect
time for me to reflect on your glory because two thousand years ago heaven came
down to our world at Christmas. Because of the fulfillment of that blessed prophetic event,
glory fills my soul today. As I worship you, I also bask in your glory!
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
