The Glory of the Lord

This is one of those words that I always took for granted.  It sat outside of needing a definition because it seemed to not have one.  It seemed to be self-defined. People would use it, even use it correctly, and I would find myself wondering… “What exactly is ‘glory’?”

How can it be something that God deserves, something that describes God and man, and also something that does something? 

While there are many other words that can be substituted when we read the word glory; words such as brightness, splendor, magnificence… I would like to propose the following as a definition…

… Glory:  identity; (of God) regarding Who God is, What God is, How God works

So when we speak of Christ being glorified we are then speaking of…

… Glorified:  for God to be recognized for His Glory

Him being recognized fully regarding His identity… namely God.

Then… to Glorify would be to cause to be recognized for the identity of.

“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3

“But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” Matt 9:8

“If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:” John 17:1

Are we starting to see the picture?  God’s glory is Who He is!  It is His very identity.  When we speak of all of the things that describe God… that is His glory.

When we glorify God we are causing Him to be recognized. When we cry out that God would be glorified we are crying out that He would be recognized for Who He is!

When we say, “All Glory to God,”  we are saying that we desire for all things to both cause Him to be recognized and that all things would recognize Him.

God the Father IS.  He revealed Himself as I AM.  This is the WHO in His Glory/Identity

God the Son is THE Lamb of God, Savior, Redeemer, etc... This is the WHAT in His Glory/Identity

God the Holy Spirit is HOW God operates through His people.  This is the HOW in His Glory/Identity

Praise God… for His Glory…!!!

SDG