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Chasing God’s glory is elusive, or no?
What is God’s glory, exactly? Let’s let the scriptures define it.
Exodus 14:17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.
Exodus 16:7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we that you should grumble against us?”
Exodus 24:16 and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud.
Exodus 33:22 when my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
Each of these scenarios of God’s glory seems to have a slightly different connotation, don't they? In the example of Pharaoh, it has the nuance of power over a mighty army as the Lord defeats the Egyptians for the children of Israel. When the Israelites participate in excess after Moses leaves to go up Mt. Sinai, the glory exhibited has a feeling of justice for Moses once the people speak against him. The way His glory settled on Mt. Sinai and passes by Moses suggests the Lord’s presence.
In each case, it is without a doubt the glory of God on display. Specifically, His glory is shown in power, justice and presence. When someone like a Pharaoh was unwilling to give God the glory, He would humble those individuals to demonstrate His glory. Also, in the life of Jesus the glory of God was on display. When we see Jesus’ purpose, power, will, justice, kindness, creation, restoration and others, God’s glory is on display. John 1:14 states that the Word became flesh as Jesus the Christ and that His glory was beheld “glory as of the only Son from the Father." Jesus Himself says that “whoever has seen me has seen the Father” in John 14:9.
Similarly, God is to be glorified in us. Christians are redeemed and purified through Christ to be “a people of His own zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). Accordingly, a good rule of thumb when doing anything is Colossians 3:17. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” With such a mindset, others will recognize the One to whom we are ascribing the glory and source of what we do. It ought to be clear and unmistakably the Lord, and not the individual.
A germane idea from the scripture is God’s strength being perfected in the weakness of Paul. Corinthians 12:9-11 says, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” In our lives, whether in works or weaknesses, God is glorified.
May everyone give God the glory that He is due. Pharaoh was stubborn and so were the Israelites in disobeying Moses when they believed no was watching them, and so God had to take what belonged to Him. To God be the glory, now and forever.
