GLORY TO GOD!

See His Glory in the Sky

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 04 May 2013

Hi all,

 God’s Glory! What exactly is it? We are inclined to think of the pillar of fire by night and of cloud by day in the wilderness.  We may think of the glory cloud that came down around Moses while he was on Mt Sinai. We may think of the bush that burned and was not consumed. We may think of the presence of God who passed by Moses when he was in the cleft of the rock. Indeed, these were expressions of God’s glory. But although these episodes were wonderful and glorious, something was yet to take place that revealed the glory of God in a unique and life-changing way.

God's Glory in the Scrolls

The angels who appeared to the shepherds caring for the flock outside Bethlehem when Jesus was born, brought with them the radiance of God’s glory. Luke wrote: -⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified. Luke 2:8-9 NLT But there was a greater expression of God’s glory still to come.

Some year ago, Phyllida and I were praying about something we were attending that day. The Lord told us that we would see the glory of the Lord that day. We were very excited about what we would see. Exactly what it was, we really didn’t know. That day we were literally “taken apart” by the church leaders. It was a painful experience. Discussing it later that evening, we agreed that what we had been through, was as close to a crucifixion as we were likely to experience in South Africa, in the 21century.

Reading About His Glory 

Then the truth dawned on us. If you want to see the glory of God, go back in time to Calvary. There on that hill, between two thieves, God’s Son was crucified for you and for me. Angels must have stood and looked on in amazement and horror. God the Father permitted the greatest miscarriage of justice this world has ever known or seen. The second person of the Trinity, God Himself, allowed men to crown Him with thorns and nail him to a cross and leave Him to die. There He hung, suspended by nails somewhere between heaven and earth, stark naked. People had beaten him, abused Him and spat upon Him. Yet He allowed all this to take place. He went to His death just as Isaiah had predicted. ⁷ He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet He never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, He did not open His mouth. Isa 53:7 NLT

God's Glory Expressed in Humility

Never think it was the nails, the abuse, the whipping, the crown of thorns or the presence of the other two thieves which held Him there from ±09h00 to ±15h00. It wasn’t the terrible darkness that came upon that part of the world so that the sun was darkened, that kept Him there. He was waiting until the priest’s knife flashed to sacrifice the first lamb for the temple worship at the time of the evening sacrifice. At that moment, our Lord and Saviour gave up His Spirit and died. There was only one “thing” that kept Him there. That “thing” was love! “Amazing Love; how can it be, that Thou my God should die for me?” are the words penned by Charles Wesley.

The Glory of the
Empty Cross

This was the greatest expression of the glory of God this world has known or seen. The crowds missed it. They saw nothing, other than an unjust crucifixion. Even now, as we think back on it, we are shocked that God’s glory could be expressed in this way! 

Men see nothing. God sees everything.

Today’s meditation is on the Glory of God.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Time with Jesus – Saturday, 04 May 2013
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes			©
INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	GLORY TO GOD!
Phyllida and I were married on 12th December 1981 and had a short honeymoon at Linga-Longa Guest farm just outside of what was then called Warmbaths. I say this because, back in those days, we were both what was called “tape worms”. We spent many honeymoon hours listening to various people speak on audio cassette tapes. Derek Prince, Ed Raebert, Bob Mumford etc. We don’t hear much from them lately. Besides which, audio tapes have given way to CD’s and DVD’s. We both remember listening to a tape by a man called Bob Whittaker. He was speaking about “Handling the Glory Of God!” He had written a short book that was meant to be a companion for the tape. We still have it somewhere! The essence of the Bob’s teaching was that God will not give His glory to others. In terms of the Lord’s model prayer: 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:13 KJV Note that the glory belongs to God. Later Bible translations, based on corrupts manuscripts, have excluded; “for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Please don’t ask me why. The difficulty with having to deal with the glory of God is that preachers and teachers have to learn how to “handle” it. By this I mean that everything we say and do in His Name comes to us by His grace. We haven’t earned it or deserved it. If the truth be known, we “deserve” the very opposite. It’s a little bit like the things we receive from our parents. We receive from them because we are their children and they love us! Why? They love us because they are our parents. They chose to have us. Even if we were unplanned and unwanted, they chose to have us. Why do we love them? There is only one answer that makes sense. We love them because they loved us first. Actually they gave us our first “love lessons”. Our example is explained by John in his first epistle. 19 We love, because God loved us first.1 John 4:19 GW So how do we handle God’s glory? One commentator said, “very gently”. I agree! In some ways, handling His glory is like driving a road-tanker full on Nitro-glycerine. Bob Whittaker’s comment was that you give the glory straight to the Lord. No sticky-fingers! When you have done something in His name and you are applauded for it, reflect the glory back to Him. The more you do so, the more He will let you handle. But if you are unfaithful handling His glory in small things, it’s highly unlikely there will be a next time! Humility for every Christian should be a lifestyle. God detests people who “show-off”. So let’s all take a good look inward and put things right! Jim and Phyllida Strickland		4 I have brought you glory on earth. I have finished the work you gave me to do. John 17:4 NIrV 34 Jesus said, "My food is to do what my Father sent me to do. My food is to finish his work. John 4:34 NIrV 4 While it is still day, we must do the work of the One who sent me. Night is coming. Then no one can work John 9:4 NIrV 49 Jesus said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you realize that I had to be in my Father's house?" 50 But they didn't understand what he meant. Luke 2:49-50 GW 4 When Jesus heard the message, he said, "His sickness won't result in death. Instead, this sickness will bring glory to God so that the Son of God will receive glory through it." --- 40 Jesus said to her, "Didn't I tell you that if you believe, you would see God's glory?" John 11:4 & 40W 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and maturity. He gained favour from God and people. Luke 2:52 GW 52 Jesus became wiser and stronger. He also became more and more pleasing to God and to people. Luke 2:52 NIrV 22 and the Holy Spirit came down to him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, "You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you." Luke 3:22 GW 22 Everyone said good things about him. They were amazed at the gracious words they heard from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked. Luke 4:22 NIrV 9 Here is the new song they sang. "You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals. You are worthy because you were put to death. With your blood you bought people for God. They come from every tribe, language, people and nation. 10 You have made them members of a royal family. You have made them priests to serve our God. They will rule on the earth." Revelation 5:9-10 NIrV	Are you by your actions bringing glory to the Lord? Is it automatic and are you feeling bored? What is it that’s driving you? Are medals what you seek? Would you like to “chuck it up” in an unhappy streak? Have you asked Him recently about the things you do? Have You His approval? It all depends on you. Many people follow Him for money in the bank. When the day is over, who is it whom you thank? Is this just an exercise to demonstrate the gift, He gave you for preaching? Your motives, do you sift, To find if what you’re doing is to demonstrate your skill, Before your little fan-club to give them all a thrill? If you somehow vanished, would anybody care, Or even make a comment that you’re no longer there? Who receives the glory? Is it all your own? The truth is always something between you and God alone! Can you know for certain? You may have started well, But are you still with Jesus? That’s something folk can’t tell! It’s easy to fool people with a religious phrase. But what about your home-life? Criticised or praised? Your family can tell us how you have been today. If someone went and asked them, what is it they would say? Has greed become your master in heart and mind and soul? Perhaps this is unsavoury. Is Mammon in control? It’s either gold or Gospel. The two of them don’t mix. Your heart is where your treasure lies. You could be in a fix, If you think you can please yourself! Then you have got it wrong. But if you turn from evil, it won’t be very long, Before God gets the glory and you don’t mind a bit. Jesus must be glorified, or you will never fit, Into the grand equation that Jesus Christ has penned. And He’s Whom you must satisfy right at the very end. So find your magnifying glass and have a look inside. What is it you’re looking at? God’s glory or your pride? Everything you do for Christ; will make His glory shine. If they’re only done for you, I think you should resign! Give Him all the glory. It isn’t yours to keep. Fame is not an issue for an obedient sheep. Jim Strickland Written 4th May 2012