The Glory of the Lord
2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face,
beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
In the morning when you wake up do you like what you see in the mirror? Have you bought the lie that the world is feeding us that you just don't measure up? Well maybe you have been looking at the wrong mirror and just maybe you have been looking with the wrong eyes. If so, here is some amazing news!
There was a time when the glory of the Lord resided in a temple. This, however, is no longer the case. The Lord no longer dwells in buildings made by hands (Acts 17:24). He does not take residence in our homes, church buildings, prayer rooms, or sanctuaries. His glory has found a new home. Let us follow the glory of God through scripture to see where He now resides. (Note: when God’s glory manifests, it many times appears in the form of a cloud and or fire.)
- Ex 3:2-4 We find the glory of God in a burning bush speaking to Moses
- Ex 13:21-22 God's glory leads the exodus of Israel out of Egypt as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
- Ex 19:16-18 Glory is manifest as the Lord descends in fire on Mt. Sinai, a cloud surrounds the mountain.
- Ex 40:34 The glory of God fills the tabernacle in the wilderness. It is covered by a cloud.
- 2 Chr 5:13-14 Solomon’s Temple is dedicated and the glory of the Lord descends on the temple and the house is filled with a cloud.
- Ezek 11:22-25 While in exile, Ezekiel sees the glory of the Lord leave the temple before the Babylonians destroy it in 586 BC. He then sees the glory travel to the Mount of Olives and ascend to heaven. Seventy years later, Cyrus orders a decree for Jews to return. A temple is rebuilt but the glory does not return.
- Luke 2:8-9 The glory of the Lord appears to shepherds as angels announce the coming Messiah.
- John 1:14 The Word of God became flesh and God's glory rested on Him.
- Luke 19:28-44 Over 600 years after departing, the glory re-enters the temple in Jerusalem, descending from the Mount of Olives (v.37) as Jesus on a colt during His last week before the crucifixion.
- John 19:18 The world took the glory of God and nailed Him to a cross.
- Acts 1:9, 12 After His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus, the glory of God, ascended to heaven in a cloud from the Mount of Olives.
- John 17:22, Acts 2:3 The church is born when Christ sends the Holy Spirit, the glory of the Lord, to descend on Apostles as fire from heaven.
- Rom 8:11, 1 Cor 2:12, 3:16 This same Holy Spirit is in us, every believer.
- 2 Cor 3:18 We behold the Glory of the Lord as in a mirror because the Glory is inside of us.
Wow, is it possible that the glory of the Lord resides in us? That seems almost impossible! Thankfully, with God all things are possible (Matt 19:26). For believers, not only is this possible, it is a reality. The glory of the Lord is in us!!! The same glory that spoke to Moses from the bush, the same glory that descended on the tabernacle in the wilderness the same glory that filled Solomon’s temple is inside of us!! Amen! Christ gave us this wonderful gift (John 17:22, Acts 2:3) and we behold it as in a mirror because the glory of the Lord is inside of us (2 Cor 3:18). This is truly a praise evoking truth! You are an incredible creature and are truly special. Rest in the Lord dear saint of God (Ps 37:7a) and allow the Holy Spirit with in you to transform your behavior into that same image of who you already are; the glory of God (2 Cor 3:18).
