12/18/2008
Psalms 29:1 - 2 (HCSB)
1 Give
the LORD—you heavenly beings—
give the LORD glory and strength.
2 Give
the LORD the glory due His name;
worship the LORD
in the splendor of ëHisű
holiness.
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In the book “The Shack” God is referred to as “papa.” In “emerging churches” members are encouraged to use casual monikers for God the father to demonstrate the intimacy we share with Him. And while God does desire an intimate relationship with us, I am afraid that we often forget His exalted state. We get so busy thinking of God as a kindly old Uncle who treats us well and helps us out when we get in a jam. I’m afraid our view of God is too close to ourselves for us to recognize and acknowledge His lofty estate.
When Moses asked to see the glory of God, he was only permitted to see the back of God, and even that caused Moses’ face to glow so brightly that the Israelites could not look directly at him. Moses had to cover his face when he came from the mountain among the people. This lasted for an extended period of time. The glory of God is so great that it affects everything close to it. That is why we, as sinners, are not permitted into His presence without the atonement of Jesus’ blood.
The glory of God is something that will make even the greatest on earth to quake in humility. The Bible tells us that “every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess” that Jesus is Lord. At the judgment, when God reveals Himself to all humankind, no one will be able to stand unaffected in His presence.
The angelic host proclaims His glory. Whenever we read of a vision into Heaven, we see the angels declaring the glory of God. Not only is their duty, but it is their privilege to sing praise to God.
We need to step back from our “religion” and church-stuff and recognize God as the preeminent, glorious being that He is. We need to contemplate His holiness, His righteousness, His mercy, His justice, and His grace. There is no equal. In fact, there is none even close.
Give the Lord the glory due His name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2008 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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