WHAT IS THE GLORY OF GOD?

Most Christians associate the word "Glory" with God. This is as it should be. But what does Glory mean. What does it mean when a song's lyrics rise up in your heart even as you prepare the meet the challenges of this day? Well the English online dictionary has the following definitions of "GLORY":
glory [ˈglɔːrɪ]

 1. exaltation, praise, or honour, as that accorded by general consent the glory for         the exploit went to the captain

2. something that brings or is worthy of praise (esp in the phrase crowning glory)

3. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) thanksgiving, adoration, or worship glory be to God

4. pomp; splendour the glory of the king's reign

5. radiant beauty; resplendence the glory of the sunset

6. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) the beauty and bliss of heaven

7. a state of extreme happiness or prosperity

(Source - the Free Online Dictionary)

The Hebrew word from the Bible, which is what we are really MORE interested in, is tremendously beautiful. The word is "Kavod". Now this is very interesting concept. Kavod literally means "armaments"! As in the battlefield gear covering the Lord God or YAHWEH (Jesus). That tells me all I need to know about, love about and have a righteous and Holy fear about in God - He is a Warrior, He is not to be trifled with and He is serious about Who He is.

Most Christians sleepwalk through their lives not knowing fully, this God. They know the Western God Who will overlook any and every transgression. But here are some examples of the Warrior in Him:
Psalm 3:3 says the Glory (Kavod) of God is His Shield
Psalm 24:8 we read "who is this king of the kavod, YHWH is strong and mighty, YHWH is mighty in battle."
Job 29:20 associates His Glory (Kavod) with His "Bow" - a weapon!
Exodus 16:7 says "In the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?" This means - He will deal with these people, and you will not just His Power but His fury in dealing with this situation.

The thing to ponder this day and always, is what does the glory of God really mean to us, to our spirit? Are we in a place - through obedience, prayer, fasting and submission where we are so tuned in to His Spirit that when He speaks, we instantly perk up and listen? OR are we in a place almost of the unredeemed - floundering, rebelling and almost shaking our fist at Him?

This is not the way to God. Beholding His Glory is the True Mark of a believer, a follower and the man or woman. Capturing the TRUE meaning of His Glory is the TRUE mark of the person who is serious about seeking after Him. Amen

"NOT THIS TIME....!"

 A wolf does not usually go after an entire flock of sheep...nor will any other beast of prey. They will try and key in on one particular potential victim, try to draw it away from the herd and then pounce.


It is this way with so many. In a world where we have so much noise, distraction, social networking and mobility, folks are more isolated than ever. We have so much more to do with our busy lives, yet hardly not a moment of peace! It is uncanny. It is almost as if there is a trap laid for us, at any moment, and many get caught up. 


You and I have been through this kind of thing, at one time or another. We would be in a crowd of people and still feel rejection; less than the others there and like that sheep who suddenly got lost in the thicket, while our heads were down on the ground, grazing on or living life.

Christians feel this way, as well as anyone else. I know people who go to larger churches, so they could get lost in the crowd and maybe no one will speak to them. The majority of American churches have 60 or less in attendance, and still there are folks isolated there, as well. 


So, we know this happens. The question is, what do we do about it - both for ourselves and others. We need to know how to combat this when the enemy lies to us and tells us that no one cares for or loves us.  Once we have mastered that, we then help someone else.  To start that process, I sought out Psalm 91:2 after much meditation last night. Here are two verses in context, below. They contain a 50 cal. gun against despair which we can fire right now, as I, briefly break it out in part:



2. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence. (Psalm 91:2-3 ESV)


Declare this right now, in Jesus Name, from verse 2:


"I will say to the LORD" -  Pray "Lord, I declare, call on you, say, claim, believe and boldly ask
"My refuge" - that You promised to be my Safe Place, my Secret Place, my Hiding Place
"My fortress" - You promised to protect me. You promised to be a shield around me. You promised to be strong tower. You promised to be the Place I go when I am weak. 
"In Whom I trust" - Therefore, Heavenly Father, I seek You, right now...not then, but I cry out now for that Promise to be made real in my life. I can't live another moment without knowing for sure that Your Mighty Arms are around me, holding me, caring for me, loving me and reassuring me that I am never alone.

Because I can approach and you and do this, God, in Jesus' Name, I know you will deliver me from being prey out there to all the wolves and lions that roam, with evil in their eyes, and honey on their lips, when their eyes are evil with intent to devour me! Thank you, Father, thank You, dear Lord, thank You, in Your Name I pray, dear Jesus, amen.


Friends, if you stay in this zone and pray and claim and declare His Righteousness and Promises, you will begin to come out of this and grow in love and fellowship with the Savior! Won't you? What have you to lose? We will talk more about this in the future. But let's start here!


Trust in Him NOW, He is always there for you NOW! Amen.

(image by google)