What is the glory of God? When Moses asked to see God's glory in Exodus 33: 18, God replies in the next verse that He will show Moses His goodness. We see the phrase, "God's glory" used many, many times in the Bible. The expression really refers to His might, His power, and His goodness that is above all that exists.
We Beheld His Glory in Jesus Christ
In John 1:14, John tells us,
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
Can you imagine what that meant to John and the other disciples to know, really know, that they had seen the glory of God in the flesh! They had worked with Him, eaten with Him, traveled with Him, seen Him as the human He was, and yet finally realizing how much more He was, the incarnate word of God.
Lazarus and the Purpose of God's Glory
In the New Testament Jesus tells Martha, in reference to her brother Lazarus's death, in John 11: 40, "...if you would believe you would see the glory of God." Earlier Jesus had explained to his disciples in verse 4, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” So the death of Lazarus served a purpose, to show others the glory of God, the goodness of God, through the actions of the Son of God, Jesus.
Jesus as the Brightness of God’s Glory
Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus shows us the glory of God,
"who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, "
This brightness, this light of His glory according to 2 Corinthians 4: 6, "has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
As Christians we have received the light to see the goodness of God and that goodness is reflected in the face of Christ, our Great High Priest.
Walking in Light Versus Darkness
God's glory shines on us. In John 1: 5 we are told that "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." But what happens if we don't have His light. In John 11: 10 Jesus tells us,
"But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."
Without God we are in darkness. We can't find our way. We stumble. It can be frightening trying to make your way somewhere in the dark. You don't know what obstacle might be in front of you. You don't know if there is some evil lurking in the shadows because you cannot see. You are alone with only your imagination. This is what life is like without Jesus. The book of Jude tells us that only He can keep us from stumbling.
The Old Testament Revelations of God’s Glory
In the Old Testament the glory of God was often revealed to His people in fire, clouds and earthquakes. In Exodus 16, the Lord heard the complaints of the Israelites and showed His glory in a cloud. He told Moses to tell His people that He would provide meat and bread for them. His goodness was once again revealed to His people. In Exodus 40, God's glory was veiled, hidden behind the veil of the tabernacle, but with the sacrifice of Christ, the veil has been removed and God's glory is present and available for all to see who acknowledge Him as Savior.
God’s Glory Made Accessible Through Christ
Whatever happens to us, whatever persecution we must bear, according to 2 Corinthians 4: 15,
"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." (NIV)
Paul says in I Corinthians 10:13 that whatever we do it is to be done "to the glory of God." If we do good, it is not so that men can look and say how wonderful we are, how kind we are, how self-sacrificing we are, it is so men can see the glory, the goodness of God, from whence comes all good things.
A Hymn of Praise: Fanny Crosby's "To God Be the Glory"
The great hymn writer Fanny Crosby, in 1875, wrote, To God Be the Glory. This is the refrain from that hymn.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
and give Him the glory, great things He has done!
Enjoy the beautiful praise, You're Worthy of it All, sung by Cece Winans. Click here.
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