The Glory of God

Have you experienced the glory of God and wanted to set up camp right there in that place? That seems to be a common human reaction to the magnificent experience of encountering God and His glory. It was so for David and Jesus’ disciples, and it seems the same for us as well.

 

You may be familiar with the story of David worshiping and dancing before the Lord with all his might in 2 Samuel 6:14. David had seen and experienced the glory of God and His awesome power when Uzzah died from carelessly touching the ark of God. The story shows almost a nose to nose, toe to toe, spiritual encounter between God and David. Both David and God were angry.

 

David then moved the ark to Obed-Edom’s house which was significantly blessed during the time the ark remained there. During those few months David observed and acknowledged the things he had done wrong in moving the ark which led to Uzzah’s death. Which brought his attention to the reality of God’s glory, power, and majesty which had been on full display through that entire experience.

• (Read the whole story in 2 Samuel 6)

 

The Human Response to Glory Displayed

David responded with complete, unfiltered, and unashamed worship. That’s when we see David dancing before the Lord with all his might in 2 Samuel 6:14. The next thing David wanted to do was to build God a house in 2 Samuel 7:1-7. The story reminded me of Peter, James, and John experiencing the glory of God through Jesus’ transfiguration in Luke 9:29-34. They saw a glimpse of Jesus’ glory, and Moses and Elijah, “who appeared in glory” (Luke 9:31). Peter’s reaction to this phenomenal experience and encounter was a desire to build three tabernacles there for them to reside.

 

This is a natural human response to an encounter with the glory of God. We want to set up shop and stay there in hopes of living in that constant experience of His glory, but God is on the move. He is not stagnant or inactive. His glory cannot be contained or held down for the experience of one. His glory is everywhere.

 

God’s Glory Bible Verses from the Psalms

There are so many bible verses that speak of the glory of God. The verses listed below from the psalms show the connection of His glory to the human experience. They show us that God’s glory is reflected and on display in all things so that all people will see and know He is the God of glory.

 

 

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

Psalm 8:1

 

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

 

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 57:5 & 11

 

Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

Psalm 72:19

 

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

Psalm 96:3

 

The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory.

Psalm 97:6

 

They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and talk of Your power,

Psalm 145:11  

Treasuring, Remembering, and Pursuing Glory

There is no glory outside of Him and all glory belongs to Him. The glory of God may be revealed to each of us differently. His glory is in the moment of our salvation, in early morning sunrises and all life waking up, in the birth of a child, in deliverance from a stronghold or addiction. We may encounter God and His glory in the gathering of the body of Christ, in empowering us for ministry or a specific service to Him. While each of our experiences of God’s glory may be different, His glory is being revealed.

 

I have experienced His glory at different points in my life and it is true, I have longed to remain and relive that experience. However, the way I relive that experience is to treasure and remember. While I can’t set up camp and stay in that moment of His glory uniquely revealed to me, I can carry those moments and experiences of the glory of God with me everywhere I go for the rest of my life. I treasure those encounters with God. They infuse me with faith, strength, encouragement, and perseverance.

 

God’s glory revealed to us once, sustains us and sets us on a path of pursuing our on- the-move God for a lifetime.

 

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.

Psalm 63:2

 

Throughout our pursuit, in times least expected and often much needed God bathes us in His glory once again. Maybe you need a fresh encounter with God and His glory right now. Here is a prayer for you.

Prayer:

Think back on Romans 5:8 that communicates God’s love in Christ dying for sinners, even the most lost of His children. As mothers we would probably say that we would die for our children, but would we die for our children if they had turned against us? What if they rejected our love and everything we ever taught them? What if they had opposed us, violated us, betrayed us, or harmed us in some way? Would we still say that we would die for the estranged child?

 

You see, Romans 5:8 isn’t a picture of Jesus dying for his little child that is dedicated and devoted to Him and loving Him.  Instead, we see God in His perfect, parental love dying for the child who had rebelled against his parent, who was living completely separate from, and opposed to his parent. This depth of love is beyond us.

 

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:13

 

God’s love for us personally, for you, for me, is beyond us. His love is greater. It’s more sacrificial than we can fathom and comprehend and as 1 John 3:1 said He lavished His marvelous love on us by making us His very own children.

 

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7

 

When we think about God’s love being beyond us, it makes sense that His love is priceless. From a human standpoint, what kind of value would we attach to a human relationship where we were loved so completely, so sacrificially, while also knowing that love would never fade or fail. That kind of love truly is priceless, but it is only found in God’s love.

 

Bible Verses About God’s Love

I encourage you to take some time to look with wonder at God’s marvelous love for you personally. Listed below are several other Bible verses for you to meditate on about God’s love.

When you read these verses, consider your own greatest depth of love for those you love the most. Recognize that God’s capacity to love you is greater than your greatest capacity to love those you love the most. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth and depth of God’s love for you personally and to establish that truth in your heart so that you cannot be shaken by the enemy’s lies.

 

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136:26 (ESV)

 

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children.

Psalm 103:17 (ESV)

 

Help me, LORD my God; save me according to your unfailing love.

Psalm 109:26

 

For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me

from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

Psalm 86:13 (NIV)

 

 Prayer: 

Precious Heavenly Daddy, God of glory,

Show me Your glory. Bathe me in your glory that I might may be stirred to a fresh pursuit that will carry me to the places You have for me. I want to be on the move with You. Lord, I want to see Your glory revealed to those You are pursuing and ministering to by Your Holy Spirit as much as I want to see Your glory toward me.

 

Much Love and Blessings,

Pat Domangue