What is "God's glory"?

No man can fully describe the glory of God. Yet for those who know it, it is only in part, darkly through a glass, and we desire the day we shall see the King of Glory face to face, knowing Him even as we are known.

Explaining the glory of God is a near impossible task, for His glory is not only multi-faceted, it is infinite in its manifestations. It is in all creation, both visible and invisible. 

Scripture tells of God's visible glory being revealed to Moses, of His glory accompanying the children of Israel as they traversed the wilderness.  

We can also see His glory as we gaze upon the stars -- their multitude (and yet He knows them by name), their scale (and yet He is greater) and their majesty (and yet it is only a pale reflection of His own majesty). For indeed, the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows forth his handiwork. 

Not only in the heavens, but the whole earth is full of His glory. There are the visible aspects of His glory - the beauty which we can behold. There are also the invisible aspects of His glory - the intelligence that weaves together everything - from the most minute particle to the greatest inter-stellar formations; the wisdom that sets all things in harmony. While the perfection in the unseen design of Creation is not perceived by the eye, it is perceived by the mind. 

There are also many other aspects of the created order which are His glory. The prophet Isaiah cries out, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory". His Holiness is also an aspect of His glory. For He is set apart - He is unlike any other - He is in a class of His own. 

Man is created to reflect the glory of God - for we are designed in His image. In ourselves is the glory of God. Every human being reflects the glory of God - even in his fallen state. We have been made "a little lower than the angels" and yet God has crowned us "with glory and honour", and been set over the works of His hands. 

Man is unique in all of God's creation because he has a spirit. While all creation reflects the glory of God, only man can emanate a different kind of glory. When man obeys and is in a relationship with the living God, he multiplies the glory of God, like nothing else can.

Man is made for glory -- His glory. We glorify God by our will and action. When we are saved, and confess the Lord Jesus, there is glory. When we choose to walk in obedience, there is glory. When our children love God, there is glory. When we love one another, there is glory. When we suffer for righteousness' sake, there is glory.

As we behold the glory of God, let us also be changed, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord.

Little Children

Elizabeth, my three year-old tot, came up beside me and patted me on the arm to get my attention. Then she made a preposterous request.

"Daddy, can I have 10 sweets?" she asked, raising all ten fingers. 

"No," I fired back.

She did not seem to hear me and continued to press on like a good telemarketer, "Can I have 10 sweets, please!"

"No," I said again, not losing my patience, but a little amused how she thought she could get away with 10 sweets when I usually deny her even two.

"But I really want", she went on - and soon, it graduated to "But I really really want", and ending with a crescendo of "But I really really want it NOW".

Elizabeth eventually settled for two, and she went away with great joy, having got what she wanted.

Here is an example of childish and childlike faith at work. Childish because she was not asking for things of the father, but her own. Things which gave her pleasure, but may or may not have been good for her. Childlike because she is comfortable approaching the father to ask for anything she wants, and even when denied, continues to press on until it is given to her.

Many believers of Jesus Christ remain little children. They remain both childish and childlike.

Childish because they ask not for things of the father, but their own. A Ferrari, Bentley, Jaguar or perhaps a more modest BMW. A GCB along Dempsey, a penthouse on Grange Road, or perhaps a more modest condominium along East Coast. Becoming an MD, CEO or SVP, or perhaps a more modest GM. For their children to top the nation, school, or class, or perhaps more modestly, just to pass. Things which give them pleasure, but may or may not have been good for them.

They do not ask first for the wisdom that is worth more than silver, bringing more profit than gold, that is more precious than rubies and nothing can equal it. They do not seek this wisdom, which God has promised to give liberally to all who should ask, but instead seek their own things which they do not know if God would even answer. 

Childlike because they are comfortable approaching the throne of grace with all boldness to ask for anything they want. Even if the Father has said "no", they do not seem to hear it and continue to press on like a good telemarketer. They will ask for it again and again tirelessly, and with greater intensity until it becomes almost heartbreaking.

While God is pleased with childlike faith, He will enjoy it more when His children are asking for things on His heart. He is probably amused at some of the things His children ask for, and hopes that they will grow up one day. Children hear only what they want. They do not hear "the love of money is the root of all evil", "godliness with contentment is great gain", but they do hear "God wants to bless you". 

Let us walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, and examine the contents of our prayers. Do we pray and ask for our things or His?