I have a habit that fills me with peace, contentment, and joy. It’s a simple habit — a habit of mental and emotional focus. I try to notice nature throughout each day — the trees, bushes, flowers, birds, animals, and even the insects that I come across. I ponder their magnificence and let them make me aware of the reality, presence, and majesty of the living God.
That marvelous habit fills me with an intense awe, reverence, and adoration of God (that some Bibles translate as the “fear of God”) that comes from an intimate, ongoing awareness of His presence and glory. It empowers me to live in Christ’s presence and walk day by day in the freedom (2 Corinthians 5:17) of being led by God the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:14)
You can regularly listen to sermons about the glory of God and all the while be overlooking it or ignoring it. You can read and even study what the Bible says about Jesus while you are overlooking or ignoring Him and are completely unaware of His present-day reality and glory. Try not to do that. Unfortunately, it’s much more common for us humans to ignore the glory of God (Romans 1:22-22) than it is for us to experience it (1 Corinthians 2:10) and regularly partake of it. (2 Peter 1:4)
The glory of God isn’t far away from those who make the risen Jesus welcome in their heart and continually surrender their life to the Him — “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27) John, one of Christ’s original 12 disciples said this about Jesus: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
The glory of God isn’t hard to see. Look up at the sky. “The heavens declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1) This world that God has created makes His existence obvious. (Romans 1:19-20) Let’s use some logic. Since nothing comes from nothing it’s plain to see that Someone or something started the process that made the nature that surrounds us.
Look at nature and absorb its beauty with a humble open heart and you will see that the whole earth is full of God’s glory. (Isaiah 6:3) If you focus your attention on and stay aware of the glory of God, it will change your heart and your lifestyle (2 Corinthians 3:18) and you won’t be able to stop talking about it. (Acts 4:20) “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.” (1 Chronicles 16: 33-35)
If God has shined in your heart, He did it to make you aware of His glory “in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6) Now He invites you to look unto Jesus, (Hebrews 12:2) and to “Behold the Lamb of God.” (John 1:29) Jesus Christ is the radiance and the brightness of God’s glory. (Hebrews 1:3)
Moses asked God, “Show me Your glory,” and it changed the world. (Exodus 33:18-19) Are you courageous enough to do the same? If the Ten Commandments came with such glory, “the ministry of the Spirit” is even more glorious. “If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!” (1 Corinthians 3:7-18)
Don’t lose your marvels! When people lose sight of their marvels (the things that cause them to marvel at being alive) life becomes boring and routine.
Free Gas for Your Think Tank -- Fill Your Mind and Your Heart With Hope 