Behold His Glory!!!
Ezekiel 43:2-5, "…behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house."
Of all the things that could transform our lives; without a doubt, BEHOLDING GOD'S GLORY has the greatest impact and influence upon our lives. People who profess Christianity are not changed for two primary reasons: first, they haven't been born again, and two, they haven't BEHELD THE GLORY OF GOD.
Everyone who ever beheld God's glory had a radical and immediate response that magnified God. That made God bigger and made them better. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” If you want to become like Christ, then you must behold the glory of the Lord!!!
Someone has said, “Beholding God’s Glory Is The Path to Spiritual Wellness: Seeing and Savoring God is the Pathway to Spiritual Growth and Vitality in Every Christian Life.”
The Bible records many instances in which people beheld God's in His glory. Here in our text it is Ezekiel (vs. 43:1-5), Isaiah beheld God's glory (Isaiah 6:1-8), Solomon beheld His glory (2 Chronicles 7:1-3), Peter, James, and John also beheld His glory (Mark 9:2-6). In every instance, those who beheld His glory were greatly impacted by the event and God was magnified. So, the question we must ask is, "How can we behold His glory?" Let me list just a few ways:
By taking time daily to fellowship with the Lord by reading God's Word and praying.
By taking time to praise God, individually (Ps. 108:1), corporately at church (Psalm 107:31-32), in song (Colossians 3:16)
Finally take time to appreciate God's work in creation, (Ps. 19:1)
May I encourage you to take time and put forth the effort to behold God's glory, it will impact you like nothing else to become more like Him.
Psalm 148:7,11- 13, "Praise the LORD from the earth… Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.”
Have a great day!
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Do you know people who profess Christianity without any evidence of change? What may be preventing them from evidencing Christlike change in their lives?
2. How can you work at putting yourself in a position to behold God’s glory?