“Glory to God in the highest!” (Luke 2:14) The angels filled the heavens with this praise. But, what if, instead of it just being a declaration, it was a command? How can we actively be a part of “filling the whole earth with the glory of God” (Numbers 14:21; Isaiah 6:3; and Habakkuk 2:14) not just this Christmas, but throughout the year?
There are several different Hebrew and Greek words translated “glory” in the Bible. The main two, which refer to glory as a noun, are kabod (Old Testament) and doxa (New Testament). Both of these words are also often translated as “honor.” They refer to that which shines thus drawing or directing attention or focus. Literally, glory is God’s divine and unique brilliance. “Glory of God” conveys an unequaled, indescribable majestic brilliance. Glory is who God is. Trying to describe God is like looking into that incredible light and attempting to put into words the mere sliver we are able to perceive.
His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, and there is the hiding of His power. Habakkuk 3:4
In Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, it refers to “the glory of the Lord appeared to them.” The brilliance of God’s presence was unmistakable, but it still was only a peak into all He is. Moses wanted to see God’s glory. God told him, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” (Exodus 33:20) Actually, it is only through grace that we are able to “see” or experience who God is. Grace is the manifestation of the glory of God, His attributes and characteristics. Grace is God shining His light into our lives. When our lives reflect His light through graciousness, and our demeanor, attitude and tone shine with the glory of God that is within us, He is glorified as others see or are directed to who He is.
Psalm 18:28 refers to our lives as lamps that are lit from within. Once lit, it provides light, not only for others sake, but our own as well. We are his chosen lamp. The lamp itself may or may not look good. Some are more impressive than others, but it really does not matter. Its real value and usefulness depends on the partnership of the lamp itself and the fuel. What fills it matters. Some things aren’t even flammable. Others produce a sudden burst of light, but do not last. An example of the non-flammable is knowledge. Knowing a lot about God, but not personally engaging in a relationship does not result in our experiencing His glory nor our reflecting it. Emotions and sensationalism is great for producing a spectacular flash, then nothing. Religion can fall under either of these categories. Even the good stuff has to be pure or instead of the flame giving light, it smokes and creates darkness.
Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays. Luke 11:35,36
“Watch out!” It has to shine, not smoke for others to see or be directed to God’s glory, as well as His glory to shine on and through your situation, whatever it is. That is our responsibility. What is allowed to fill the lamp, determines what burns. Oil contaminated with the dirt of this world will smoke. The purest oil is the Spirit of God. The best way to keep oil in a lamp pure is to keep the lamp full so there is no room for contaminates to sneak in. The purer the oil = the brighter the light. The brighter the light = more is illumined. But on the other hand, the brighter the light, the less the lamp is visible. Thus, being impressive really does not matter.
When we are gracious, we are allowing His brilliance to shine through us. That in turn glorifies the Lord. The Hebrew verb translated “glory” is hallel. It is the base word for hallelujah. Hallel literally means “shine” or “reflect.” In order to glorify the Lord we must shine with the light of His presence in our lives and reflect back His attributes and character through our attitudes, words and actions. How do we do this?
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
The word translated “glorify” – doxazo – has several different meanings: to praise, extol, magnify or celebrate; to honor; to think or have a certain opinion; to make glorious or adorn with luster. My favorite is the last one: to polish until it shines. I have quite a few brass bookends in my home. They are nice and functional. They look ok. However, when I put in the effort and polish them, it brings out their true beauty. Does your attitude, words and behavior bring out God’s intrinsic beauty and value? Let me phrase this question another way: What impact does your attitude, the way you speak and what you say, and what you do and the way you do it, have on others opinion of God?
We have lived in several places that were very hard on brass and silver items on display in our home. There was something in the atmosphere that made them quickly tarnish. That can also be said about God and this world. God is glorious! However, viewing Him through toxic atmosphere of religion, skepticism, willfulness, deception and lies tarnishes mankind’s opinion of God. Many of these come from God’s own children. We can dull Him rather than make Him shine.
In the following verses, we are told that we are the Temple of the Living God.
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 2 Corinthians 6:16
What does the last part of Psalm 29:9 says about the Temple of God?
And in His temple everything says, “Glory!” Psalm 29:9b
“Everything!” Does it? Does every aspect of your life say, “Glory!”?
This has to include our own glory. In my study of the word kabod, one of the things that really drew my attention was the use of the word in regards to me, not God.
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory. Proverbs 25:27
“My glory” is what other see, their assessment of who I am. It is what I “polish” to draw their attention and what I am directing their attention towards. My choice: me or God. For me misdirected glory is a result of my being caught up in gaining attention, appreciation, admiration or affirmation. It is about wanting others to see “ME!” We are all masters on how to direct attention – glory to ourselves.
On the other hand, what does properly directed “my glory” look and sound like? In each of the following verses the phrase “my kabod” is used. (I have underlined the word translated from kabod.)
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:11,12
My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. Psalm 108:1
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. Psalm 16:9
“My glory” has to shine with God’s glory and the light of my life needs to direct others attention and focus on Him. We need to sing it, say it, live it. One of the verses that really stood out to me was Psalm 57:8, which simply states “Awake, my soul!” Actually, it says, “Awake, my glory!” Get up – get it together- get busy shining with the light and glory of God. It is a daily choice of when and what direction the light of my life shines.
My salvation and my honor (kabod) depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:7 NIV
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11
The last part of this verse tells me that in order for the flow of grace and glory to go the direction God intends, we need to be upright people in an upside down world. When we conform to this upside down world, we know which direction glory will flow.
And in His temple everything says, “Glory!” Psalm 29:9b
What direction should the glory of God consistently flow in His temple? Up and out!
God’s intent when creating and inhabiting this planet was (and still is) to fill it with His glory.
… but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD. Numbers 14:21
The problem is we fill it with self-directed glory instead of His. We glorify ourselves, our opinions, our culture and traditions, and so forth. Jesus said something about Himself, that definitely applies to us.
Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; John 8:54
It wasn’t Jesus’ opinion of Himself that mattered, but the Father’s opinion of Him. Jesus wasn’t concerned about making Himself shine, but reflecting the glory of the Father. That is why Jesus said “I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” Jesus focused on glorifying the Father. The Father in turn glorified Jesus. We are promised the same thing.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:29,30 NIV
I don’t need to glorify myself. If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me. Glorifying myself robs God of His glory and joy of making me shine with the light of Christ. I miss out on the incredible joy in participating in the promise of Habakkuk 2:14 in the process.
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
“Your kingdom come; Your will be done” is about filling the earth with His glory. When it is finally a reality, we are going to bemoan what could and should have been. Why not now? When His kingdom comes into our “world” and His will is done in our lives, His glory fills. We are either a conduit working in partnership with Him or an obstruction. It is a constant choice.
Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Psalm 24:7
This means that gates of willfulness and ancient doors of old habits and way of thinking have to be removed so that His glory can fill and flow and His light shine unhindered.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV
I cannot think of a better time than now to make sure the brightest, purest, sustaining light shines. I cannot think of time when it was needed more than right now. It is a choice. We need to make the following more than a child’s song by Harry Dixon Loes (1920), but our commitment for the holidays and each day in the year to come.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.