like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. and when i saw it, i fell on my face, and i heard the voice of one speaking. [ezekiel 1:28]
the glory of the Lord is overwhelming and all-satisfying.
the glory of the Lord – is his holiness “going public” as john piper says. it is the overwhelming, yet all-satisfying reality of God’s holy presence coming to bear on our eyes and our senses – and, on our heart and our soul.
the glory of the Lord – dropped ezekiel to the ground, on his face – when he saw “it.”
the glory of the Lord – is overwhelming.
the glory of the Lord – also brought God’s voice to the ears and heart of ezekiel.
the glory of the Lord – is all-satisfying.
the very thing that moses wanted, more than anything else – was to see the glory of the Lord.
moses said, “please, show me your glory.” [exodus 33:18]
the very thing that made peter, james, and john want to stay on the mountain and build tabernacles (“tents”) – was the glory of God they had just seen.
now peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. and as the men were parting from him, peter said to Jesus, “master, it is good that we are here. let us make three tents, one for you and one for moses and one for elijah”—not knowing what he said. [luke 9:32-33]
the glory of God will always overwhelm.
God is that glorious, majestic, beautiful, powerful, holy – other!
the glory of God, under the covering of God’s hand in Jesus, is all-satisfying.
God is that glorious, majestic, beautiful, powerful, holy – other!
today, if you are in Christ, by faith in his work to make you right before God (righteous). then you are covered by Christ and you are in the very glorious presence of God. his glorious presence lives in you through the Spirit of God. and in his presence, there is holy awe and worship when he helps us realize who he fully is. and in his presence, there is fullness of joy.
may his glorious presence – overwhelm and satisfy today.
what will it take for you to realize you are in his presence?
how will you respond?
(if you have a moment, read ezekiel 1:4-28. it is a vision of his glory! enjoy!)
~ john ryan