The word Glory is from the Latin word Gloria, "fame or renown" used to describe the manifestation of God's presence. The glory of God is used in different ways in the Scripture. It can refer to God's greatness, His honour, His beauty, His power, and His light.
In the human circle, glory can be seen as bestowing or showering high honour or praise on a person, usually for attaining some success or achievement.
In the aspect of bestowing or showering high honour or praise, the bible also speaks of His magnificence and splendour displayed in the heavens and how the earth points to his glory, simply from the works of his hands. "The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork." Psalm 19:1
The manifestation of God's presence is the manifestation of God's glory. There are times in the bible when the manifestation of God's glory was seen and felt!
We saw one of these manifestations at the dedication of the temple by King Solomon. The glory of God filled the temple and the priests could not continue the item on their program. "When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.
When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshipped and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.” 2Chronicles 7:1-3
Also, in the case of Elijah, the lord told him to stand somewhere while He passed by. As God passed by, a mighty windstorm hit the mountain, and after that was an earthquake, and there was also fire, but the lord was not in them. When Elijah finally heard God in a still small voice he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. This is the manifestation of God's glory!
"Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; after the fire a still small voice.
So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1Kings 19:11-13
It's good to experience the strong wind, earthquake and the fire of God's glory but it's far better when you can hear His voice or see Him just like Moses did.
Moses asked God to show him His glory. This was a bold and direct request from Moses!
Moses knew what he was asking for. "And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”
But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.” Exodus33:18-23
Moses was in tune with God when he asked Him "Show me your glory" This reveals the closeness between God and Moses. We can say of a fact that God spoke to Moses face to face like a friend because of their closeness.
His request to see God’s glory was immediately answered by God’s willingness to show His glory to Moses. God accommodated Moses's request because He knew the heart of Moses. God is always ready to show us His glory if we are ready to receive it! The Bible says in the book of Jeremiah 29:13-14 "And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord,"
An Athiest named Dawkins was asked in an interview what would he do if he discovered that God indeed actually exist. He said he will tell God "Sir, why did you make yourself so hard to find? Is God hard to find? Perhaps from those who are not looking for him, the answer might be yes! But for those who are earnestly seeking God and honestly desiring to find him, the word of God says they will find Him!
Let's get into the new testament and see where the glory of God's presence was manifested! There were different occasions God invaded places with the glory of His presence and those present never remain the same again. Their lives were transformed for the better.
In one of these experiences, Jesus was together with three of His disciples ( Peter, James and John) when the glory of God came down. Instantly, Elijah and Moses were there to witness the glory of God again in Jesus. Now they could see the face of God in Jesus which they could not see when God passed by His glory in their days on earth.
The experience was so awesome that Peter requested that temples should be built in that location where they saw the glory of the Lord. "Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen. Luke 9:28-36
In another incident after the ascension of Jesus, the presence of God's glory invaded a room and everyone present never remained the same. "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts2:1-4
More also, there was another area in the bible where God responded to the disciple's prayers by the invasion of His presence which shooked the room where they were praying. "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:31.
God is always ready to show us the glory of His presence. As we work closely with the Holy Spirit who is residing in us and focus our attention on Jesus, the glory of God's presence will radiate in our lives.
The Bible says in the book of 2 Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
God is not hard to find according to the Atheist. If we can put every distraction aside and behold God as in a mirror, we will be transformed into the same image.
What do you use the mirror for? It's used to reflect your image. Your image on that mirror is Jesus! Looking at Jesus is telling you who God has made you in Christ.
You are like Jesus and your continuous look at Him will transform you to become like Him and manifest the glory of God in you. Hallelujah!
May you see the glory of God in your life, ministry, marriage, family, business, job... more than ever before in Jesus' name (Amen)