Tag: cloud of Glory
A window into Heaven
Scripture reading for January 23: Matthew 17
“And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a Voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” Matthew 17:1-5
Sinful man cannot know the things of God unless by grace God reveals them. Therefore Jesus was always revealing His Father to His disciples. This revelation would challenge their world view and open up new understanding of heaven, the Father, and Jesus Christ as Lord. This account of the transfiguration involved the inner circle of the disciples: Peter, James and John. They were allowed to see Jesus in a transformed and glorified body, meeting with His Father in a cloud of glory. They also saw the glorified spirits of Moses and Elijah and recognized them. They were also ‘alive’ and able to speak. They heard the Voice of God confirming His Son. This occurred on a high mountain in Israel and resulted in them falling on their faces in worship and fear.
What can we gain from reading this account? First, there is a realm of heaven beyond our natural sight that is real. In this realm, God rules in clouds of glory. God, Himself, speaks and confirms His Son as beloved and also glorified. He commands us to “Listen to Him!” We have confirmed that servants of God are also still living and recognized by name. As Jesus calmed His disciples fear, we can now await His glorious return and our glorified bodies.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for confirming Your Son Jesus Christ! We heed Your command to ‘Listen to Him!” We await our own transfiguration at His return and Your confirmation of us as faithful servants. May others see Your image and glory in our obedience today. Amen.
Radiating the Glory of God
Scripture reading for February 16th: Exodus 38-40, Hebrews 1
Hebrews 1:1-4 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed the heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the Name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
The Name of Jesus Christ was given from the Father to Joseph by an angel. This Jesus is the First-born Son of God, and is the exact representation of God the Father and radiates to sinful man God’s awesome glory. No man could look on God in the fullness of His glory and live. But Jesus Christ made God and His glory known! The ark of the covenant, whose pattern Moses received from God was to be where God’s glory would reside in the midst of His people on earth. When the ark was placed in the tabernacle, and covered with the curtain and sacrifices were made exactly as God prescribed, God’s glory filled the Tabernacle and was in the midst of Israel to guide, protect and provide for them on their journey to their promised inheritance. In the same way, when we repent and invite Jesus to reside in us, God’s glory fills us and we reflect that glory to the world on His behalf.
Hebrews 1:8-9 “But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Name above all names and the exact representation of Your glory and the creator and sustainer of earth and all life. Thank You for Your eternal rule in righteousness and the anointing of Jesus Christ and His followers with the oil of gladness. I receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and invite Him to reflect His glory through my life.
Exodus 40:34 “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
The Radiance of God’s Glory!
Scripture reading for February 17th: Exodus 38-40, Hebrews 1
Key Scriptures: Exodus 40:33-35 “. . so Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
The Israelites had willingly brought offerings of gold and other prescribed materials and willing and skilled workers had completed the task set out for them by the Lord through Moses. The tabernacle and all its furnishing was completed and set up exactly according to the pattern. Then, miraculously, the cloud of God’s glory covered and filled the tent of meeting. Moses was not able to enter this awesome display of God’s presence in their midst!
Faith Confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for this description of Your presence with the Israelites. I am humbled that in the New Testament, Your glory fills a new “tent of meeting”–the bodies of believers in Jesus. Please allow the glory of Your Son to be seen through my life!
Hebrews 1:1-3 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, . . .”
Making our praise heard!
Scripture reading for May 25th: 2nd Chronicles 2-5, Acts 16
Key Scriptures: Acts 16:25-26 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”
Paul and Silas spent time in stocks, after having been beaten. They spent their time there in the darkness singing hymns and praying. About midnight, the Lord sent a great earthquake that loosened all the bonds and opened the jail doors. The jailer was ready to take his own life, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul reassured him that they were all there. The jailer’s question brought salvation to him and his household!
2nd Chronicles 5:13 “and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For He is good and His steadfast love endures forever,” the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud.”
Prayer: Lord, it is my duty and desire to worship You in all circumstances. Teach me to make Your praises heard. Amen.
Led by the Glory Cloud!
Scripture reading for February 13th: Numbers 9-12
I often think about being led by the visible presence of God as I read these passages that describe God leading His people. It seems so simple just to be able to follow the cloud of glory as God arose and the Israelites were called to follow. I tend to think how comforting it would be to know the Lord’s visible presence day and night in the midst of His people. If only we could be together and have that today, would we behave better than we sometimes do?
The Israelites were instructed plainly by God to move only when God’s visible presence moved. (Numbers 9:15-18) They were to camp around the Ark of the Covenant housed in the Tent of Meeting. They were to camp in a definite order with three tribes on each of the four directions around the Tent. The Levites were to be in the middle with the Tent. (Numbers 2:17) When the community was to assemble or prepare to move, Aaron and his sons were to blow two trumpets of hammered silver. Various blasts would signal the Israelites that they were to either move out or assemble.
God always led the procession and gave the orders. The tribes must move in the order He instructed them, with Judah in the lead. (Numbers 10:14) The tribes of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali brought up the rear and guarded their back. As the Ark either moved or came to rest, Moses was to say, “Rise up, O Lord! May Your enemies be scattered; may Your foes flee before You.” Whenever it came to rest, he said, “Return, O Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel.” (Numbers 10:35-36) Faith in God was to be spoken by their leader, Moses, to remind the people that God was the head of their army and He was arising to lead them in victory!
Today, we have something better! Jesus Christ (Lion of Judah) is the Head of His church army! He has already defeated the enemy, Satan. He calls His church to go forth under His direction to announce the victory in the power of the Holy Spirit with signs and wonders confirming that victory! Whenever His church obeys in faith, He works with them to take care of all enemies and we know we will triumph! He lives in us and we can rest in His love and care. (Mark 16:17-20)
God in Our Tent!
Scripture reading for February 1st: Exodus 35-40
“And so Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:33b-35)
These last chapters of Exodus contain a detailed account of how Moses and the Israelites carried out the Lord’s instructions for building the tabernacle. God truly wanted to live in the midst of His people. In order to accomplish that, the people were asked to willingly bring an offering from what they had. (Exodus 35:5) They presented their offerings as a wave offering before the Lord. (Exodus 35:22) The people brought so much gold and other valuables, that they had to be asked to stop! (Exodus 36:6-7) When God is in our midst, we are moved to generosity because of His blessing and presence!
Then God anointed certain people with skill and ability as craftsmen to build the tabernacle exactly as He showed Moses. (Exodus 35:30-33) Each person was anointed by God to do practical skilled work. It wasn’t just the priests or those who were set apart to handle the offerings! All work is sacred and whatever skill that God has blessed us with should be consecrated to the Lord and used for His purposes. There is no secular work in God’s economy!
Upon completion of the tabernacle and its furnishing, Moses inspected the work and declared it properly done, “just as the Lord commanded.” (Exodus 39:42) Those who worked were blessed by Moses! Not only was Moses pleased, but the Lord commanded that the tabernacle be erected on the first day of the first month and be anointed with the sacred anointing oil. Aaron and his sons were dressed as prescribed and anointed for their work. As a sign of God’s approval, the glory cloud descended on the tabernacle and filled the structure. Moses could not enter because of the glory of God’s presence there!
Today we have something better! We are the living stones of the new dwelling of God among men. (1st Peter 2:5) We are also the new anointed priesthood, set apart to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. When God’s glory dwells in us by the Holy Spirit and there is no room for the old man! (2nd Corinthians 3:18)