I have been looking at many different aspects of God’s glory to prepare for writing. I have been thinking of what His glory means and how we relate to it. When God invites us to come into HIS glory, it means we are really coming into His presence! I believe that we need to come into His presence during this month for a time of refreshing. Last month we all looked at our list of three things that we have gone through, like my friend Liz:
- Breast Cancer
- Starting my own business
- A Pandemic
Remember? We were encouraged to praise God, or glory, in our tribulations. As we do that it builds us into more mature Christ followers. I trust that you have been doing that, and I KNOW that God is faithful always. As we praise Him, we watch Him work out all things for our good. And we learn endurance, and patience, and so on. (see Romans 5:1-5)
The glory of God was first evident when the Israelites set out from Succoth in their escape from Egypt. The Lord appeared – so His Presence, was in a cloudy pillar in the day and a fiery pillar by night. He guided them and it represented His Presence leading and taking care of them. Also in Exodus 33, God spoke to Moses out of the pillar of cloud, assuring him that His Presence would be with them. This is all Old Testament – Old Covenant teaching. But still very relevant.
How can we think about it today? In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the dwelling place of God’s glory. He is “God with us” – Immanuel. And when He left this earth, He said that He was not leaving us alone, but sending us His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our Helper. He indwells us. I love to think of the Holy Spirit as the Jesus Whisperer. Like the pillar of cloud that they followed, the Holy Spirit whispers, “go left…wait…trust Me.”
Does anybody need a little direction and a little refreshing? I believe that God is calling us into His glory, His beautiful Presence. It’s been a long season of stress. It’s ok and it’s good to come to Him, to rest and be refreshed.
1. Would you like to rest and be refreshed?
2. Do you believe that He is calling you into His Presence?
3. Would you trust Him and just breathe and be still?
4. Jesus loves you and wants to show you the way, the answers you need.
5. Will you give up control and come? Just tell Him. That simple.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters; He restores my soul.” Psalm 23
