2022-08-12
Good Morning Dear Ones,
For the last six messages, the Holy Spirit directed me to write about the elements of joy. Today, we reach God’s perfect number, seven, which represents in this series the crown of glory. Remember: As crown is used here, it is not a head ornament for royalty but instead, an award given by God when we are glorified, i.e. called to His side in heaven. God alone has the right to present crowns to those who love Him and have lived on eath according to His teaching, through the Son.
While often used, especially in Christianity, the word “glory” means the most common use of the word "glory" in the Bible, which is to describe the splendor, holiness and majesty of God. Glory, in this sense, is often associated with a person experiencing God's presence in a tangible way. When used this way, the word glory conveys a sense of heavy dignity. While it is often associated with our Triune God, Who has three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. COL 3: 3-4, “For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Therefore, when one is in heaven after a life of holiness, faith, and obedience to God, He will share His glory with you.
The concept of glory is often discussed in the Psalms. PS 19: 1, “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” As PS 19 unpacks its description of glory, David uses this pictographic language to express what it means in vs 4-5. “Yet, Their voice goes out into all the earth, Their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.” What is meant is that God’s glory has spread all over the heavens and all over the earth. Moreover, in the NT, we learn about the wedding feast of the Lamb [Jesus, the Bridegroom] and the bride [that subset of all believers, which is the church-REV 19: 7-9]. Use of the word “Their” is an indication of God’s Trinitarian nature.
The next logical question is: What are the ways we can glorify God? Praise Him with your lips; obey His word; pray in His name; produce spiritual fruit; remain sexually pure; seek the good of others; give generously; live honorably among unbelievers. Each of these directives means changing one’s life script from a man-centered existence to a God-driven life. These things are discussed all over both the OT and NT. MICAH 6: 8 is an example, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” An example from the NT is MT 23: 23, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law, justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.”
David, son of Jesse, was one of the most obediently faithful kings in Israel’s history. He wrote at least 72 of the Psalms, which were songs sung as the ancient Jews climbed on foot the steep paths to the Jerusalem temple or returned to their homes, three times a year. PS 27: 1-2 tells us, “The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.” The following are Bible citations, which I hope you will read, that are truth and can bring believers great solace: PS 18: 1-3; PS 21: 1; PS 27: 1-2; PS 31: 1-2; PS 33: 1-4; PS 46: 1, 4-5; PS 91: 1-2; PS 119: 1-2. Since PS 119 is the longest in the Bible, one section for each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, it would be easy for this all-important truth to be overlooked. “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” Think about the fact that we have our greatest spiritual grown in working through times when we are afflicted with illness or other trouble with God’s help.
PRAYER: O Lord, when we look for why we should praise and thank You, we are astounded at the many blessings You bring into our lives. Yes Lord, we have many troubles, losses, challenges, illnesses, and disappointments in our lives, but none that we can’t work though without Your help. 1 COR 10: 13, “No temptation has overtaken you except that which is common to mankind. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide you a way out so that you can endure it.” It stands to reason that anyone who loves Your word would want someday to be taken into heaven and given the crown of glory. So, we pledge to keep our minds on the things of heaven, rather than just the things of earth. We offer You our love, loyalty, honor, faithfulness, obedience, and study to Your glory, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: Next week, I’m commanded to discuss joy that arises from empowerment through the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s presence, and traditions which bring people together. From deep within me, I was feeling peace and God’s close presence as I read the citations given above. PS 145: 18-21, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name, forever and ever.” It’s a wonderful habit to keep what Thomas and Nanette Kinkaid called a “Glow Book,” which is a hour by hour daily list of things that are blessings for you. They may be an answer to prayer, something beautiful from nature, or whatever thing, be it small or big, usual or unusual. I’m blessed to know that my Lord Jesus is with me and hears my prayers when ever I send them up. I need never feel alone or abandoned. It’s my hope that you also have this kind of relationship with our loving God too. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2022. All Rights Reserved.
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