MARCH 29, 2010

WHEN GOD

SHOWS UP

At different times and places in history, God chose to reveal His glory in specific ways. In Exodus 40, for example, God gave instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, a sort of mobile chapel for worship. The Tabernacle was designed so the Israelites could take it down and carry it with them in their wilderness wanderings. When the Tabernacle was completed, the presence of God came down in a cloud of fire and a pillar of smoke.

Later, when the Temple, a more permanent place of worship, was completed, the Lord manifested His glory again ( 1 Kings 8 ).

Many years later, the glory of God came forth in the Person of God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. John 1:14 says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, [ notice this ] ( and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, ), full of grace and truth." God's glory was veiled in Jesus. Many knew Jesus was God, but they saw only hints of God's glory when Jesus performed miracles. Finally, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus allowed some of His veiled glory to "leak out" for Peter, James, and John to see.

The glory of God was present in the Tabernacle, in the Temple, and in the Person of the Lord Jesus. Did you know that God's glory is present today in a specific place on planet Earth? Ephesians 3:20-21 says, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

That's right! If we know Jesus Christ, God's glory resides in you and me. The Scriptures tell us that God has chosen to display His glory in your life and in mine.

SELAH: Thank the Lord today for the amazing privilege of being one in whom His glory dwells!

-T.P. Johnston, Jr.-