Glory

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples needed to receive not only the fire, but also, the rushing wind, the personality of the Spirit in the wind (Acts 2:1–4). The manifestation of the glory is in the wind, or breath, of God.

The inward man receives the Holy Spirit instantly with great joy and blessedness. He cannot express it. Then the power of the Spirit, this breath of God, takes of the things of Jesus (John 16:14–15) and sends forth as a river the utterances of the Spirit. Again, when the body is filled with joy, sometimes so inexpressible, the canvas of the mind has great power to move the operation of the tongue to bring out the very depths of the inward heart’s power, love, and joy to us. By the same process, the Spirit, which is the breath of God, brings forth the manifestation of the glory.

Let us look at a few passages in the Bible that pertain to the glory. The first is Psalm 16:9: “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices.” Something has made the rejoicing bring forth the glory. It was because the psalmist’s heart was glad.

The second one is Psalm 108:1: “O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” You see, when the body is filled with the power of God, then the only thing that can express the glory is the tongue. Glory is presence, and the presence always comes by the tongue, which brings forth the revelations of God. God first brings His power into us.

Then He gives us verbal expressions by the same Spirit, the outward manifestation of what is within us. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).

Virtue has to be transmitted, and glory has to be expressed. Therefore, the Holy Spirit understands everything Christ has in the glory and brings through the heart of man God’s latest thought. The world’s needs, our manifestations, revivals, and all conditions are first settled in heaven and then worked out on the earth. We must be in touch with God Almighty to bring out on the face of the earth all the things that God has in the heavens. This is ideal for us, and may God help us not to forsake the reality of holy communion with Him, of entering into private prayer so that publicly He may manifest His glory.

Thought for today: By filling us with the Holy Spirit, God has brought into us this glory so that out of us may come forth the glory.