December 31, 2010

2 Chronicles 36

Do you see the glory of God in us? Why or why not? Yesterday in my meditation on Revelation 21, I mentioned that we are naked. We were created to wear the glory of God. The Lord permitted Jerusalem and the temple to be built as a place for His glory to dwell. Many of the kings defiled the temple placing altars of pagan Gods there, burning incense there and even sacrificing children there. In a very real sense they defiled the glory of the Lord. These last four kings of Judah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the Lord. They defiled the glory of the Lord. His glory could no longer be seen in them as a light to the nations. They were full of darkness.

But God was gracious! Verse 15 says, “And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.” How gracious He is to warn us again and again. How stiffed necked we are to ignore the warnings. There comes a point when there is no more remedy. He destroys His dwelling place because it has become such an affront to His glory.

First Peter 2:5 says, “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” We have become His dwelling place. Writing in 1 Corinthians 3:16 Paul says, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” We are the dwelling place of His glory both individually and corporately. Does the world see His glory dwelling in us? Why or why not? IF not, are we obscuring His glory? How? It is said that more churches are being closed each year in the USA than are being started. Could it be that in many cases it is because His glory is being obstructed, so He brings them to an end? Do we have a passion for His glory to shine in us both individually and corporately? What will it take to let His glory shine? We are incapable of making it shine, but we are capable of obstructing it. How do we permit His glory to shine? We have completed a year. Maybe this next year we need to focusing on removing the obstructions that we have place in the way of others seeing His glory. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john

Revelation 22

Remember as a child when waiting for Christmas seemed like an eternity? Even though it was just a day away, it seemed as if it was taking forever to come? But the waiting seemed to make its coming better. We are awaiting the coming of our glorious King. He is the One who has the river of life which flows from His throne. He is the One who will cause a tree of life to grow in the streets. The fruit of the tree will bring healing to the nations. He is the One who will reverse the curse. He is the One who will change our seeming eternal nightmare into an eternal day dream—a pleasant one. He is faithful and true. Unlike the promises of a deceptive salesman, we can count upon His promises. He is the One who is righteous in all His ways. When He comes, He will bring righteousness with Him. It will no longer be an option among many. He is the Bright and Morning Star, in the midst of a dreary night, He is the promise that morning is coming, the light is dawning, the night is coming to an end. He is the Groom for whose resplendent glory we long to be united. And He is coming. In the parched desert of this life, He is the true water of life who will quench all our thirsts. Maybe this year will be the year that will set into motion all of the events that must take place before His coming. He is coming. He is coming quickly. If waiting for Christmas seemed like an eternity, then waiting for His return must surely seem longer. But His coming is all the sweeter because of the wait. Lord Jesus, it is Your glory we want to see. Come! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John