Intro: Scripture often speaks to the eternal majesty or glory of God. All glory is of God and is manifest through his perfect character and attributes. God created all things for his glory (Is. 43:7). As I look out the window by my desk this morning, I notice the beautiful sun rising, the gentle breeze blowing, the palm trees swaying rhythmically to the wind, the birds singing, and the sounds of created life stirring around me. These things are not God, but all things find their source in him; in his glory. How precious is the love of God for us to allow his creation to experience his glorious attributes in tangible ways such as these?
According to Psalm 8:5, human beings were made in the image of God and crowned with his glory. Sin robbed the glory, but Jesus came to restore our connection to God, so we may once again behold the glory of God. Despite the many ways humanity may disappoint or reject God, he is still concerned for all of his creation; all of it belongs to God. He remains faithful even when we are not. If you struggle to understand your worth to God, I want you to think about the divine glory made available to you today in Christ. The glory of the sovereign Lord is restored to whosoever will by faith receive salvation in Jesus the Christ. As a redeemed son or daughter you have new life in the glory of God. So, our challenge is to move beyond our flesh and live revealing and releasing the glory of God’s presence in us.
What is the believers daily response to God’s glory? According to Scripture, the answer is confession, worship, and praise. When we confess our sin, we are recognizing the righteousness and justice of God to whom all creation is accountable. When we worship God with our lives, we are revealing the importance we place on our relationship with God by demonstrating honor and obedience to him. And, when we praise we are giving weight to the faith we have in God’s glorious goodness to perfectly care for his own.
My friends, if we are honest, we have all sinned by exchanging the glory of the eternal God for the favor of temporal human beings. This world, our nation, and communities have the invitation to connect in the glory of God. We make the choice based on our faith in who God has revealed himself to be in the Word. What God proclaims as sin, is simply the truth because he is holy and knows what aligns with his glory. What God proclaims as righteous is what we must embrace, because he has become our first Love. God is the eternal King ruling over his kingdom. So do not take the glory of God for granted. Humanity is but a vapor. We are here and have human life for a little while and then we vanish; but God is the Sovereign [supreme ruler] and nothing and no one is more powerful (James 4:14).
Psalm 93
1
The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty.
Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength.
The world stands firm
and cannot be shaken.
2
Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial.
You yourself are from the everlasting past.
3
The floods have risen up, O Lord.
The floods have roared like thunder;
the floods have lifted their pounding waves.
4
But mightier than the violent raging of the seas,
mightier than the breakers on the shore—
the Lord above is mightier than these!
5
Your royal laws cannot be changed.
Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for inviting me into your glorious presence. With your help, I will walk with unshakeable faith knowing you reign over all things and your promises are true. I confess my need for your forgiveness and I reach for your righteousness and strength in order to live for you. I worship and honor your position in my life; be exalted. I praise you for your faithful love extended to me. Throughout your creation, may your glory be manifest in your sons and daughters, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.