Reminders for Your Spiritual Journey

The word glory is not often used in casual conversation, but when it is, it carries the connotation of, something that is above and beyond the ordinary, something superior, outstanding, noble, illustrious, acclaimed or distinguished. It is often used to describe notable achievements that are heroic or particularly honorable.  For example, “…to fight and die for the glory of one’s nation.” It can also be used to describe something spectacularly beautiful, brilliant or majestic or something splendid to behold such as a “glorious sunset” or “glorious concert”.  The word glory can also pertain to something that one can take great pleasure or pride in.  For example, there are people who “glory in their independence” meaning to rejoice, take delight or revel in.

According to Wikipedia, “In the Bible, ‘glory’ signifies God's majesty, and radiance, often depicted as brilliant light or splendor, representing His perfections and power. It also refers to human dignity, honor, and wealth, but ultimately points to God's supreme value and presence, seen in creation, Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the hope for future revelation in the new creation. The Greek word for glory (Kabod) literally means ‘heaviness,’ implying importance, weight, and supreme worth, reflecting God's unparalleled greatness. God’s glory is frequently depicted as bright, dazzling light, symbolizing God's presence.” In 1 Timothy 6:16, God is described as dwelling in "unapproachable light". Matthew 17:2 says: “At the Transfiguration, Jesus' face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light.” Acts 9:3 says: “Paul was blinded by a light from heaven brighter than the sun", identified as the risen Jesus. It's the outward display of God's attributes—His wisdom, power, goodness, and beauty—in creation and in His self-revelations. Jesus is the ultimate incarnation of God's glory.

For humans, glory can mean fame, wealth, or high status (1 Kings 10:10), but it fades compared to God's eternal glory. It's the very essence of God's being, so brilliant that mortals can't see Him face-to-face without protection (Exodus 33:18-23). 1 Peter 2:9 describes it this way: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” As Christians, we are called to glorify God through our lives, reflecting His nature and bringing Him honor. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says: For you were bought with a price: “Therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

Empowerment can either be given or is taken and both can be in operation at the same time. Power that is given is most often bestowed upon a certain person or group by a higher power.  For example, in a democracy the people have the power to vote to allow a certain person or group to govern them.  In the US that is the president, congress and the courts.  Each branch is given a certain amount of power over how the government operates and each is guided and constrained by the constitution and the next vote.

Ideally, the democratic system guarantees that individuals within the country feel entitled to live a free and autonomous life.  The people feel empowered to conduct their own lives with certain rights and responsibilities.  They feel free to make their own choices, and within the law, to do as they please. The problem is that some people who are given power feel entitled to also take and abuse that power, and as a result, some other people might feel oppressed rather than free.  That happens because human beings are too often self-centered and feel entitled to misuse the power they have been given to suppress the rights of others for their own purposes.

The kingdom of God is not a democracy. It is a kingdom, with a supreme leader and self- selected subjects.  This seems like an anathema to some people who believe in democracy, but the difference is that in God’s kingdom, power is tempered with love.  In a democracy, power is tempered by an idea that all people are equal under the law.  The flaw in the idea is that human beings are too easily corrupted by the power and freedoms they are given. In God’s kingdom, believers are asked to give up some of their power and autonomy (self-determination) to follow a superior set of principles. In exchange, we are guided not by power but by faith, love, and commitments to allow ourselves to be empowered by good (God).

Jesus demonstrated that empowerment when he sent his apostles out to spread the good news of the gospel that all who believe are entitled to salvation through his death and resurrection. In Acts 1:8, He said: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And in Luke 19:19-20, He said: “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Christians are given the power to overcome adversity and to do great things.  We have faith that God not only protects but also gives us great courage and strength.  Philippians 4:13 entitles us along with the apostle Paul, to say, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

The story of Nicodemus in the Bible, is one that illustrates the fact that there are different kinds of strength and weakness and sometimes, when we think we are strong, we are actually most vulnerable because we might be relying on the wrong kind of strength.  Nicodemus was a devoutly religious man.  He was well educated in the Old Testament and was someone who counseled others on the laws of God.  He was greatly respected and he thought of himself as someone who knew everything.  He thought his greatest strength was in his own ability to quote scripture and do everything according to the laws of God.

On page 29, of his book titled Help Is Here, author Max Lucado invites readers to consider whether faith is more like a rowboat or a sailboat.  In a rowboat we must provide our own power to make progress.  A sailboat offers power from the wind.  In the Bible story of Nicodemus, Lucado explained that Nicodemus specialized in gripping the oars while Jesus offered a taunt sail. Whereas Nicodemus fixated on what he could do and what he thought he knew, sailboat faith focuses on what God has already done.  One exhausts and the other exudes power. In other words, when we rely on our own strength alone, we can do some great things, but when we rely on God and follow His plans rather than our own, we can do much greater things because God’s strength is so much greater than our own.

Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs believers to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths". This passage encourages complete reliance on God's guidance rather than human intellect, highlighting that God's wisdom surpasses our own limited comprehension. Sometimes, like Nicodemus, we get to a point when we realize that we need what God has offered when he sent Jesus into the world to clarify that our strength is limited, that we do not have all the answers and we need God’s wisdom and strength to get us through scary or difficult times.

God’s promise comes from, a key Old Testament verse where God encourages His people not to fear because He is with them, promising His strength, help, and support through difficult times. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10. In the New Testament, a passage in 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In the words of an unknown author, "If God brought you to it, He will bring you through it.” Praise be to God for his unspeakable strength and grace.