The Gory of God - Part 1

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys. (Exodus 40:34-38 ESV). The glory of the Lord is a powerful entity. When the glory of the Lord appeared to Moses, it was too much for him. Once, when Moses wanted to see the face of God, God told him to hide himself in the cleft of a rock and He would pass by, but He could not see God’s face, because Moses couldn’t handle the glory of God. When the glory of God filled the temple, no one could enter into it. That’s a powerful glory. That’s also what makes the tearing of the temple veil, at the crucifixion of Jesus, such a powerful event. Having been removed from God’s glory for so many years, the people, including us today, were given immediate access into the very presence of God. But, in the Old Testament, God’s glory had limited availability. It wasn’t that God’s glory was less powerful, or that it was more powerful in the New Testament. God has been and will always be the same. It wasn’t that the people were less interested in God’s glory. They sought it in every way. It was just that there was no mechanism to get God’s glory to them. Even though God’s glory is now available to us, as much as we can handle it, I don’t sense very many people seeking it as much as they could. Rare is the time when we really experience His glory in a powerful way. When we do, we can’t seem to contain it within us for very long. His glory is too awesome for us to sustain. I wonder if we don’t take for granted what God shared with us through Jesus Christ when He brought forth His glory to those of us who will believe. I wonder if we are missing part of the glory God has for us, because we am not seeking Him with all our heart. In the next few days, as we look at the glory of the Lord, specifically as it relates to His temple, will you search your heart with me to see if you are experiencing God’s glory and all He has for you?