God's Glory

This is for a friend of mine who is going through a really scary situation right now. Her faith in this situation has been nothing less than inspiring, but I read this chapter in a book yesterday and I want to share it in the hopes that it will encourage her and her family. This is from the book "It's Not About Me" by Max Lucado.

It billowed through the temple, leaving priests too stunned to minister.
When Ezekiel saw it, he had to bow.
It encircled the angels and starstruck the shepherds in the Bethlehem pasture.
Jesus radiates it.
John beheld it.
Christ will return enthroned by it.
Heaven will be illuminated by it.

It touches every person with the potential of changing every life. Including yours. One glimpse, one taste, one sampling, and your faith will never be the same.

Glory.

God's glory.

"Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory." (Psalm 29:1-9)

When you think "God's glory," think "preeminence." And when you think "preeminence," think "priority." For God's glory is God's priority.

God's staff meetings, if he had them, would revolve around one question: "How can we reveal my glory today?"

God exists to showcase God.

Why do the heavens exist? "The heavens declare the glory of God" - Psalm 19:1

Why do people struggle? "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." - Psalm 50:15

Is this attitude self-centered? Is it self-promotion?

Picture this. You're floundering neck-deep in a dark, cold sea. Ship sinking. Life jacket deflating. Strength waning. Through the inky night comes the voice of a lifeboat pilot. But you cannot see him. What do you want the driver of the lifeboat to do?

Be quiet? Say nothing? Stealth his way through the drowning passengers? By no means! You need volume! Amp it up, buddy! You want him to show his glory. You need to hear him say, "I am here. I am strong. I have room for you. I can save you!" Drowning passengers want the pilot to reveal his preeminence.

Don't we want God to do the same? Look around. People thrash about in seas of guilt, anger, despair. Life isn't working. We are going down fast. But God can rescue us. And only one message matters. His! We need to see God's glory.

God has no ego problems. He does not want to reveal his glory for his good. We need to witness it for ours. We need a strong hand to pull us into a safe boat.

God awoke you and me this morning for one purpose: "Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations." (1 Chronicles 16:24)

"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." Romans 11:36

Why does the earth spin? For him.

Why do you have talents and abilities? For him.

Why do you have money or poverty? For him.

Strength or struggles? For him.

Everything and everyone exists to reveal his glory.

Including you.