I can sometimes be found practicing worship music in our church sanctuary. It’s a completely different vibe with empty pews on a Thursday night versus a full house on a Sunday morning! In a way, some of God’s glory is missing when I’m alone in the sanctuary. For the glory of God is found within each believer in Jesus.
Ezekiel wrote of a day when God’s glory would leave the temple in Jerusalem due to its defilement (Ezekiel 10:18-19). And at that time, many of the people of Judah would have already been exiled by the Babylonians. The good news was that God’s glory would dwell with them in Babylon (Ezekiel 1:1-3, 3:23).
When Jesus came, God’s glory came with Him. John wrote, “The Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (John 1:14). The tabernacle and temple were the places where God once dwelled among His people (Exodus 40:34-38). Jesus brought God’s glory to us in a new and life-giving way (Hebrews 10:20).
Upon receiving salvation, we’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit who allows us to “see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Now, turning our eyes back to Ezekiel, we read of his vision that pointed to the time when God’s glory would once again return and fill the temple (Ezekiel 43:4-5). He also wrote that God would live among His people “forever” (Ezekiel 43:9).
Today and forever, you and I are filled with God’s glory, for we’re temples of His Holy Spirit. Today, see how you can reflect His glory, even as you look toward a glorious future made possible by Jesus!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 29:14-30
More:
Read John 12:23-28 and note what it says about Jesus’ glory.
Next:
What does it mean for you to reflect God’s glory? How did the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 change where God’s glory can be found?
Gary Shultz on January 19, 2016 at 6:27 am
As a kid we liked playing with mirrors, you could direct a dash of sunlight wherever you pointed the mirror. Of course the smoothest, shiniest, cleanest objects reflected the most light. True with today’s subject. Then, a nation housing God’s glory, incredibly Jesus handed the gift of shining light to us as individuals and corporately, with another heaven sent gift, the Holy Spirit. Moses unknowingly demonstrated an actual glow, we will find ours at the same place, in God’s presence. Now, stay connected, stay polished and clean and see where God directs His light through you. That’s my short take on an important subject. Thanks for your encouragement Tom.
Tom Felten on January 19, 2016 at 8:51 am
Thanks, Gary. I love your mirrors analogy . . . and I picture millions and millions of us reflecting the glory of God around the world—using our individual gifts to present the varying facets of the beautiful Body of Christ!
gagirllive on January 19, 2016 at 8:36 am
This is great, Tom. My first thought was the same as Gary’s…Moses. He wasn’t even aware of it himself. I think that’s an insight to the idea that God’s glory is most evident in us when we have not only been in His presence but also when, because of it, we have lost our self-awareness and are consumed only with Him. He never shares His glory, so I think it’s safe to say if we want to be good reflectors we need to forget about ourselves. I will be thinking more about this today. Thanks, Tom.
Tom Felten on January 19, 2016 at 8:54 am
Good thoughts, gagirlive! I’m reminded of what John said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30). What’s interesting is that when we surrender to Jesus and become “less and less” we actually become so much more alive and human than ever before.
Roxanne Robbins on January 19, 2016 at 9:39 am
Tom, Thank you for this good exhortation to be introspective about how our own lives reflect God’s glory, and how we see (or wrongly ignore) God’s glory manifested in others.
Tom Felten on January 19, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Roxanne, witnessing God’s glory within the spiritual gifts, deeds, and words of other believers in Jesus encourages us in our faith and makes for a healthy, humble perspective of our identity in Him!
BearPair on January 19, 2016 at 4:57 pm
Excellent thoughts Tom… and what a bright future–both present & future–indeed! And what a difference between private, intimate, personal worship and joining hearts & voices together wt like children of God… and you even imagine that day in heaven? Hmm, sounds like a good song title, huh? Thanks Tom!