And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ Acts 7:2-3
The glory of God can be described as the manifestation of God’s presence as perceived by humans. Stephen preaches about the God of glory who appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia in Acts 7:2-3. The glory that was revealed to Abraham was such that he obeyed God and moved in faith towards a land that he did not know. Likewise Moses had the glory of God revealed to him on the mountain, and the glory of his countenance was so bright, that the people feared for their lives. Because they were convinced that no one could stand in the presence of God and live. Here is what the people said to Moses in Deuteronomy 5:24 — And you said: ‘Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives.
We covet the glory of God, because in His presence there is fullness of joy. May the glory of the Lord rest upon us as His glory rested upon Mount Sinai. We know that abundant life is made manifest in the presence of the Lord, whereas the people of God in the days of Moses feared death, we perceive life that is more abundant. Jesus Christ in you, is the hope of glory.
May the Lord God manifest His glory as in the days of Solomon, when the priests could not minister in a manner that was business as usual. I pray that the glory of God would invade the earth as it is written in 2 Chronicles 5:13-14; indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
What does this text have to do with our present state of the church? How can we lift up one sound with one voice while we are scattered? Hear the word of the Lord in 1 Peter 2:4-6;
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
You are a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Not only will the glory consume us in our individual houses, but we are anointed to cover others as holy priests. The God of Glory has made provision for us to abide in His presence as often as we will. What a privilege we have with unlimited access to the God of Glory.
What does it take for you and me to see the glory of God? Jesus Himself has an answer to this question — Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” I release faith to every reader of this devotion to believe that The God of Glory is present to intervene in the affairs of your life; and in the lives of those whom you have been appointed to touch. The same God who revealed His glory to Abraham and Moses, has come to each of us in the person of His son Jesus.
May you be living stones today as you offer up spiritual sacrifices; and The God of Glory strengthen you with might in your innermost being. God bless you!
Maranatha
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