aThe Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Behold!"
Part 2 - Beholding the Glory (Goodness)
"Beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Corinthians 3:18).
The Apostle Paul's calling to see God's glory as we view ourselves in His mirror often seems to be an unlikely command of Scripture. Our human imperfections tempt us to view ourselves otherwise. "In my flesh dwelleth no good thing" confessed no less than Paul himself (Romans 7:18). Of course, the Apostle did not refer to a physical mirror in his calling to see ourselves in terms of glory. He rather references spiritual realities, based on our relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. In this context, how do we see our reflection in terms of glory?
An initial consideration involves the Bible's most definitive description of God's glory.
"And Moses said, I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory. And God said, I will make all My goodness pass before thee" (Exodus 33:18-19).
Moses asked to see glory. God responded by promising Moses the realization of His goodness as it passed by. Thus, while innumerable expressions of the glory of God exist on the pages of Scripture, the essence of such wonder involves the Lord's character, nature, and way. In this most direct Biblical elucidation of His glory, God defines it as His goodness.
Apply this truth to Paul's calling to behold ourselves in terms of God's glory. Can any believer look into the Lord's mirror and not acknowledge in humble amazement, "God has been so very good to that person I see in the glass!" Recall the publican, who "would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13). Those who share the publican's awareness of mercy see clearly the goodness of God in their reflection. Indeed, any believer who fails to focus on how undeservedly kind God has been to him is missing something as he beholds as in a glass the glory - the goodness - of the Lord.
Other aspects of viewing the Lord's glory await our consideration as we look into His mirror. For now, let us commence by prayerful remembrance of how much mercy God has shown to us, and how high was the price He paid to make such glorious goodness available to us. As the hymnwriter beautifully penned, "But none of the ransomed ever knew how deep were the water's crossed." In this solemn and holy light, we cannot help but see the glory of God in our reflection when we consider the blessedness of His long-suffering patience with us. The Lord Jesus suffered, was forsaken, and died for that person in the mirror. God's glory? Yes. His goodness? Absolutely. How can we see anything less when we consider our reflection shining with freely bestowed grace and mercy in the Lord's glass?
"Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."
(Romans 4:6-8)
"Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name, and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for Thy name's sake."
(Psalm 79:9)
Tomorrow: That which God sees.
Weekly Memory Verse
Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
(II Corinthians 3:18)
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