The Glory of God

In my human effort to understand and clarify the qualities of God, I fall short. Today I hit a word that is almost like hitting a wall. Even with the Scriptures that declare it, how can I explain the GLORY of God? One pastor said His glory is the total of all His attributes. Lamb and Lion, King and Servant, Meek yet Mighty, Powerful yet became weak to die on a cross, died for us yet possesses everlasting life . . . only a sample. I’ve lists of His attributes that would fill this space and then some.

To grasp the vastness of God’s glory, fewer references use the adjective GLORIOUS. These define the extent and wonder of who He is and what He does. Depending on the context and the Hebrew or Greek word used, glorious can mean:

• majestic, inspiring awe or reverence (related to size, strength, power, or authority). 
• something that causes feelings of wonder; often miraculous. 
• to be shown respect or esteem.
• the quality of being magnificent or splendid.
• a state of high honor.
• to shine, to emit light; be bright.

These few examples reveal that the glory of God is far too vast to be fully described by this mere mortal:

His Power. Exodus 15:6. “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.”

Colossians 1:9–14. “From the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

His Actions: Exodus 15:11. “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”

Isaiah 63:11–14. “Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit, who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name, who led them through the depths?  . . . . So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.”

Psalm 78:4. “We will not hide them from their children but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”

Psalm 145:5. “On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.”

Luke 13:17. “As (Jesus) said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.”

His Name and His Person: Deuteronomy 28:58–59. “If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God, then the Lord will bring on you and your offspring extraordinary afflictions . . . .”

1 Chronicles 29:13. “And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”

Ephesians 1:5–6. “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”

His Position: Psalm 72:19. “Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!”

Isaiah 3:8. “Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.”

Jeremiah 14:21. “Do not spurn us for your name’s sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us.”

Matthew 25:31. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.”

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. Just this very brief look at the glory of God reminds me why the Bible says I cannot see Him; He is too much for my eyes and comprehension. The best I can visualize is the tracks He leaves in my life and a little of the hope He lays before me. As Ephesians 1:17–19 says, “(May) the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give me the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of my heart enlightened, that I may know what is the hope to which he has called me, and the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward me and all those who believe!” Amen.