“SHOW ME YOUR GLORY!”
I will admit to praying that thought…even very recently. Last week following my visit with my brother, I received a note from him as well as an article about this very subject: Show Me Your Glory. How was my brother supposed to know that I have been mulling this phrase over and over in my head recently? I know I didn’t tell him (we talked Pirates not spiritual stuff!) 😀 I have been asking myself why I have been praying this prayer. I have no doubt it is linked back to my current (and almost finished) sermon series on God:Unmasked. I’m telling you…you cannot study the character of God without being overwhelmed by HIM! Or maybe I ought to say: overwhelmed so that what you want is to catch a glimpse of His glory. Hence my prayer: “Show me your glory!”
I am inclined to think that if I truly caught a glimpse of His glory I would be bowled over. I would stand fall prostrate on the floor in awe and wonder. John MacArthur defines “glory” as “the sum of who He is-the sum of His attributes and divine nature.” Yeah, standing does not appear to be an option, if you know what I mean. 🙂
I think the best reference about seeing God’s glory, and the one the article referred to, is that exact prayer of Moses. It followed Aaron’s debacle with the Golden Calf. Moses’ comment in Exodus 33: 15 is that “if God’s presence wouldn’t go with them, he wasn’t moving” (my paraphrase) Because Moses found favor in God’s sight, God would go with them. It was then Moses said, “Show me your glory.” Oops, he said, “Please show me your glory.” I seriously doubt Moses knew what he was really asking for, nor did he know what God would give him. I am simply impressed that Moses even thought of it at all. I think I would have been a-stumblin’ and a-bumblin’. Okay, so maybe more like Peter was on the Mount of Transfiguration. 🙂
Application: Ministry is a partnership between God and me. (quote from article by Tim Harlow). Anyone in their right mind would know ministry cannot be done is a vacuum. (Then again, some would say that to be in ministry means you are not in your right mind). Moses and God were one. His sole/soul desire was to be pleasing to God, so much so that he craved God’s glory. I wonder if I desire God’s presence as much. Moses had to cover his face when it was all over. Can people see the glory all over my face?
What do you think of Moses’ request? Bold? Breath-taking? Foolish? Applicable to today? I’d like to hear your thoughts. And I’m not sure Rob will read this, but if you do, thanks for the article. Most of all, thanks for a brother’s love.
Moses was right on. Granted the folks in the OT had a different style of communication with God. Moses was invited to the mountain for a 40 day retreat! Just him and God. Think about how awesome that is. Even after that experience he is asking God to show him His glory.
It reminds me how really stinkin’ big God is. It reminds me that my logic gets in the way and I can’t see what doesn’t make sense to my little brain. Killing the logic is what I’m currently working on. Fun times 🙂
thanks for the word Bill
That is quite a unique perspective you give Craig about Moses spending 40 days with God and then still wanting to see His glory. isn’t it fun to work from faith and not always from logic? 🙂 Thanks.
I think it is pretty bold. But we are told to approach the throne bodly. I’m right there with you. I wanna see his Glory. I wanna see him move. I wanna see lives changed, relationships healed, bodies healed, and his glory to shine.
-Peace
We need more bold Allen. Thanks for a good word.
I know you couldn’t see me nodding vigorously as I read your post, but yea and amen, brother. My young tutoring student and I are in the process of memorizing Psalm 8, and I mull it over and meditate on it as I do my 3-mile morning walk. I arrive back home without words.
So that is what was causing my computer to jump up and down Susan. Couldn’t figure it since the ground wasn’t shaking. 😛 Psalm 8 does leave one without words. Thanks for adding to the conversation this morning.
You know what amazes me the most about this request by Moses?
In the beginning of his real walk with God, he was a-stumblin’ and a-bumblin’ – basically telling God, “Go find someone else… please.”
And we see how he matures (once again, a proof that maturity doesn’t equal age) and now he desires to be used by God and he wants to know God intimately, he wants to see God’s glory.
I think you’re right in saying that he had NO idea what God would show him… but still… I’d say it was a bold request. A passionate one, if I can say so.
Good point about the maturity. Most definitely bold and passionate. Thanks Zee.
If you want to see God’s glory, look around you in Nature,through out the earth, in the cosmos, and in one’s own heart. Then you will see His glory ever lasting.
I reviewed Psalms 8 and was awe struck in the similarities of a phrase I once put on my web site before I had ever sat down and read Psalm 8.
Good point Larry. God’s glory is all around us.
I think Moses’ request was bold. He wanted to feel and experience God in a deeper way. That’s what many of us want today.
Very true Mercy. Many of us do want that. Imagine the difference! Thanks.
I don’t think it was foolish for Moses to ask of that. We should all desire to be before the presence of God. We will one day… His complete and powerful presence. Then it will be all good since we will be transformed. Today, we would faint and hit our head in the concrete. Hey, at least you have a cool scar with a great story. 🙂
you are right Moe. We should all desire to be in His presence. I would be willing to wear a scar for the rest of my life to tell that story. Thanks for the comment.
Perhaps if we see more of God’s glory we will see less of the circumstances that seem to inhibit seeing ourselves the way He sees us…freeing us in the process. Hmmmmm, I wonder?
Great point Jay! Forget being consumed by ourselves and see Him. Thanks and i second that “I wonder.”
Moses was a bold and breath taking request that God answered and that is a powerful statement about the bold and breath taking God we serve who will answer now like he did with Moses all those years ago.
Been a busy time around here so I have been reading but not commenting a lot the past couple of days.
Bold and breathtaking for sure Jim. I know you are busy so am really glad you are able to come by. Thanks.
I’d love to see His glory sometime.
You have to stand in line behind me Jason. 🙂 Thanks.
Hi Bill,
In Exodus 33:13 it says “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you”.
I think that God’s glory will manifest in its’ ordained time and place. My thinking is that we need to concentrate on our day to day walk with God. Growing, learning, being obedient.
It is extremely exciting to know that God has some very good and amazing things down the path for those who love him and obey him.
But right now it seems we as believers are in no position to receive God’s glory. It might be like having a tonne of gold dropped down from above on top of us.
We do need to concentrate on that daily walk Linda. In the process, perhaps we will get to see His glory. I want to be in that position to receive it. Thanks for the input.
Those kind of requests are made in the context of relationship. Psalms tells us that Israel knew the acts of God, but Moses knew the ways of God. That’s where I want to be! I’ll join you in your prayer, Bill. I may not fully understand it, but I want that deeper expression of His glory! Thanks.
I like that Jason: they knew the acts of God but Moses knew the ways of God. I want to be so “in” with God that I know Him. Glad to have you join me. Thanks for the comment my friend.
I do think Moses’ statement was bold, but I believe that’s what faith is all about. Moses wasn’t always like that–he was timid, and completely unsure of himself. Yet, as he matured in his faith, he grew closer to God. I want to continue to grow in that same way.
He was certainly transformed Jon. No doubt. You make a good point about maturity. thanks.