The glory of the LORD

The glory of the LORD

Scripture:- The glory of the LORD entered the temple through the gate facing east. Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. Ezekiel 43:4-5

Observation:- The first time “the glory of the Lord” was mentioned was in Exodus 16:10 when the glory of the Lord appeared to the Israelites in a cloud from the desert. The Israelites had been grumbling and feared they would starve to death, but the Lord appeared to them and later sent them quail and manna so that they would survive. In His glory, the Lord is our Provider. He provides all our needs.

Secondly, the glory of the Lord was seen on Mount Sinai where He met Moses and gave the 10 commandments. The people saw God’s glory like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. In His glory, the Lord is righteous and holy. Those who come to Him must also be righteous and holy, and we can only do so by the blood and power of the Lamb. 

Thirdly, the glory of the Lord was seen was by Moses alone in Exodus 33. Moses desired to see the glory of the Lord, to see the Lord Himself personally, and the Lord passed by Moses, covering him with His hand while He passed by. How amazing that even in His great glory, the Lord is a personal God, meeting Moses personally. We too can have a personal relationship with our Mighty, Living God!

Next, in Exodus 40, after Moses had completed the tabernacle, the glory of the Lord was seen when the cloud covered the tent of meeting and His glory filled the tabernacle. Incredibly, the glory of the Lord was with the Israelites in the tabernacle by day in a cloud and by night in a fire in the cloud in all their travels. In His glory, the Lord is our Protector. He is always with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us, blessed be His name!

Besides that, the glory of the Lord also appeared when the Israelites refused to enter the promised land because of fear and threatened to stone Moses, and again when Korah the rebel challenged Moses and Aaron. In both occasions, the Lord came to defend His servants. In His glory, the Lord is our Defender!

After that the glory of the Lord is only mentioned next when He filled the temple built by Solomon after the king prayed to Him, and the priests could no longer do their work because of the presence of the Lord. In His glory, the Lord is a God who listens to prayer!

In Ezekiel, we see the glory of the Lord mentioned several times in his visions and in this new temple. In His glory, the Lord reveals mysteries to His children.

Application: Meditate on the glory and greatness of our Lord. Praise Him for He is our Provider, our Protector, our Defender. He answers our prayers, and seeks a personal relationship with us. He is righteous and perfect in all His ways. Like Moses, pray and desire to see the glory of God for ourselves. How, His presence would change us completely!

Prayer: Lord, You are my Protector, my Provider, my Defender. You are perfect in all Your ways, may Your name be praised. Open my eyes O Lord and reveal Yourself to me that I may see You. Change me O Lord, and stir a great fire within my heart to love you and to love others. In Jesus name, Amen.