Our Magnificent God Of...预览

The God of Glory

Acts 7:2-3, "Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran, and said to him, 'Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.'

Glory describes the sum total of God’s essence, and He is absolutely unique! Omniscient – knowing everything there is to know. Omnipresent – everywhere at the same time. Omnipotent or all-powerful. Infinite – no beginning and no end; “From everlasting to everlasting You are God” (Psalm 90:2). He is triune – one God in three personalities (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).

There is no One else like Him in the entire universe! God is more than we can imagine and can never be put in a box. These words help us understand Him, but they all fall far short of His reality, and His reality is the ultimate reality. All this together is described in the word glory. The Greek New Testament word for glory is Doxa – honor, brightness, and splendor. It’s the manifold perfection of God’s character – of which we all fall far short (Romans 3:23).

Throughout the Bible, when people encountered God’s glorious presence, they often were compelled to fall on their faces. Genesis 17:1-3, “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers. Abram fell facedown”.

In Matthew 17:5-6, when Jesus was transfigured into His glorious presence, “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.”

Two more examples are John 18:4-6, “When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground”; and Revelation 1:17, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.”

When we recognize the magnificence of the God of glory, and when we know Him as our Lord and Master, we can live in absolute confidence. What can this world do to us?! Paul said in Romans 8:1-2, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

Reflection: Is the God of glory your God? Are you living in the freedom of His redemption and glory?