Where Have Your Eyes Seen the Glory of the Coming of the LORD?
Good Morning Friends,
Some of the most interesting Bible passages are when God reveals Himself in a special manifestation. God appeared to Abram as a smoking firepot. Moses experienced God in a burning bush and a pillar of a cloud and a pillar of fire leading his people. And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Commandments in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. Solomon and the priests experience this presence at the dedication the Temple. And in the New Testament the Glory of the LORD shone around angles for the shepherds to see at Christ’s birth. Then there is the event of God revealing His glory to Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. And in modern times I think of Martin Luther King, Jr. and that his last public words before he was shot were, “Mine eyes have seen the coming of the Glory of the Lord.” It seems that God reveals Himself in all sorts of ways and in all sorts of places.
So this morning as I have the lyrics of The Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe Battle going through my head, and I contemplate the songs of war and the songs of peace that are played out in the lives, I ask today’s question. Where Have Your Eyes Seen the Glory of the Coming of the LORD?
Scripture: Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:1-5 (NRSV)
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it. These all look to you
to give them their food in due season; when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
Psalms 104:24-28 (NRSV)
When Solomon had ended his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. The priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the LORD filled the Lord’s house.
2 Chronicles 7:1-2 (NRSV)
Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
Psalm 119:18 (NRSV)
Message: When you think back on all of these examples of God giving a great and glorious vision of Himself – it can be hard for us to retain that image in our minds. It would be an awesome and perhaps a fearful sight to have the Lord appear to us like He did in the Bible. So, Lord, where is my burning bush? Where is my vision of your glory? I really do not know if others think in this way but I do know that people flock to see the best visuals they can in art and music and movies and videos. The results though are mixed for often we are not prepared in the way we should be. God has high standards for where He will make His presence known. He does not respond to our whims or come on our terms. So have you seen the glory of the Lord lately? I think you probably have if you allow God to open your eyes to His presence. Friends, when God occupies a place, His glory is unmistakably evident, but one needs to see with new eyes. When the LORD appeared to Elijah it was not in the earthquake, wind and fire but in a still small voice. Look again and realize how blind we are.
You may have different things go through your mind. But think about the most incredible thing you have seen! Maybe it is the reality that we worship together, seeing through the eyes of faith and proclaiming that Jesus is the true God and Savior of the world.
Pray we hope in the Glory of the Lord. Pray we prepare ourselves so that God would choose to reveal His presence in our lives. Pray we realize that God comes on His terms when the time is fully come. Pray the Glory of the LORD fills our lives. Pray God take up residence in us and change us forever.
Pray we learn God’s ways and God’s truths. Pray we walk in His paths. Pray we sharpen our skills with the right tools to be equipped for experiencing God. Pray God open the eyes of our hearts. Pray we see the LORD.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 