Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Isaiah 60: The Glory of God - the Joy of a Believer

One of the common confusions about the Glory of God is that his Glory is something to be feared. After all, there are illustrations in the Old Testament where Glory and judgment are connected. But the theme that comes to us from Isaiah and many other passages is that our greatest joy is the Glory of the Lord in at least two senses.
Paul writes
11 In him we were also chosen, c having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

c Or were made heirs
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Eph 1:11). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Our Joy is because of his Glory - the two are intimately connected.
Our Joy is a demonstration, it is the expression of the Glory of God.
The passage that I will work with is Isaiah 60 which follows:
The Glory of Zion
60 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the arm.
5 Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.
6 Herds of camels will cover your land,
young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense
and proclaiming the praise of the LORD.
7 All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,
the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;
they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,
and I will adorn my glorious temple.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Is 60:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Have you seen the "glory" of God on people? What does it look like? On a community? What does that look like? Your comments are deeply appreciated.

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