“But we all, with
open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the
same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
Recently, I
saw an image of a snail, riding on the back of a turtle.
I suppose
that sums up the frustration of life.
Anyway, I
started thinking about all of the hype attached to the glory concept. When we
think of the word, the usual association we have to it involves a celebration,
hoopla, fanfare, beauty and perfection...and the Divine component of God in the
entire mix.
“And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy
glory.”
Exodus 33:18
“But as truly as I
live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.”
Numbers 14:21
“And one cried unto
another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is
full of his glory.”
Isaiah 6:3
“O LORD, our Lord,
how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the
heavens.”
Psalms 8:1
“Who is this King
of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your
heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of
glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the
King of glory. Selah.”
Psalms 24:8-10
“They shall speak
of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;”
Psalms 145:11
“Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14
“And the Word was
made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the
only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are
all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 11:36
“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ
Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:21
“But the God of all
grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye
have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.”
1 Peter 5:10
“For he received
from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from
the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
2 Peter 1:17
“Saying with a loud
voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and
wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”
Revelation 5:12
“Saying, Amen:
Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and
might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
Revelation 7:12
Whew! Yep,
glory is mentioned a lot! And that’s just a SAMPLING!!!
Yeah, I
think we can all agree that glory is a fabulous
thing. Of course we’d want IN on it! And, whether or not we know it OR feel it,
we are very much in process OF it.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the
glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to
glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
But, here’s
the thing- it’s not instantaneous; it’s gradual...
over
time...years...experiences...awkward phases, failures...losses...and, yes,
victories also.
And, this is
usually where a little thing called patience comes in...
“In your patience possess ye your souls.”
Luke 21:19
Indeed,
patience IS the other side to the glory coin.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”
2 Corinthians 4:17
“That
the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at
the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
1
Peter 1:7
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations
also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and
experience, hope:”
Romans 5:3-4
Scripture
NEVER Said, however, it was always a fun situation.
Nope.
Does it change the reality of that truth?
Again, nope.
After all, check out this little ditty...
“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a
good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6
It has a lot to do with our attitude. It can be negative or
positive about God’s very real perspective concerning us...
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the
Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Does our soul agree or argue with God?
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou
disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the
health of my countenance, and my God.”
Psalms 43:5
C’mon, be real!
Yes, our
souls, our emotions, our feelings would probably prefer the presto change-o
element to each of our glory transformations. But, the reality is the slower, snail on turtle circumstance. Let’s be honest. We’re not as ready for glory as we think we are!
“Wherefore
let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
1
Corinthians 10:12
“‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus
said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am
baptized with?’”
Mark 10:38
Hence, the very gradual process.
Instantaneous
would be too overwhelming for us to handle all at once.
But delay is
NOT denial. It’s just an ongoing, individual process, tailored to each one of
us.
“Even everyone that is called by my name: for
I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”
Isaiah 43:7
Be patient
then, even if you feel like a snail or a turtle. It IS happening!
Copyright © 2014 by
Sheryle Cruse
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