A Fresh Glimpse of God’s Glory
There comes a time in every life in which we need a fresh vision of God. Our walk with God can become stale and routine. We may begin to doubt if the continual struggle against sin and self is worth it. We may become so caught up in working for God that we forget the importance of our relationship to God.
The prophet Isaiah had such a need. The familiar comfort of having King Uzziah on the Throne had been taken from him. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple (Isa 6:1 NKJV).
God rolled back the veil of heaven to remind Isaiah that although King Uzziah no longer sat on his throne-God still reigned and set on the eternal throne of heaven and heard, and how it affected him, can help us learn some valuable lessons about obtaining a fresh glimpse of God’s glory.
A fresh glimpse of God’s glory often appears in darkness. In our dark hours, it is a good thing to go to church and seek God’s face. It was a dark hour in the life of Israel in general and Isaiah in particular. It is at those times we desire Him more earnestly that He will reward us with a fresh vision of his majesty. Many times we see God more clearly in times of shadow than we do in times of sunshine.
A fresh glimpse of God’s glory reveals God’s holiness. And one cried unto another, and said Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory (Isa 6:3). Isaiah is so impressed by this vision of God’s holiness that he reiterates the truth that God is holy throughout the book of Isaiah.
(Isa 5:16 KJV) But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy…
(Isa 29:23 KJV) But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob…
(Isa 30:15 KJV) For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel;
(Isa 43:3 KJV)…the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:…
(Isa 48:17 KJV) Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel…
(Isa 52:10 KJV) The LORD hath made bare his holy arm…
(Isa 54:5 KJV)…thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel;…
(Isa 55:5 KJV)…and for the Holy One of Israel;…
(Isa 60:9 KJV)…and to the Holy One of Israel…
One cannot obtain a fresh glimpse of His Glory without receiving the revelation that He is Holy. Holiness is an integral part of the nature of God. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Pet 1:15-16 KJV)
A Fresh glimpse of God’s glory exposes our sinfulness. Isaiah expected to die from having obtained a glimpse of God. He saw his own unworthiness when contrasted with the perfect holiness of God. He confessed his uncleanness and the uncleanness of those about him.
The closer to God that we become, the more we realize how helpless we are in ourselves. As we observe His absolute Holiness, we realize our helpless depravity. Spiritual pride is an indication we have drifted away from God and not drawn closer. It is only when we compare ourselves, to one another, rather than God, that we come away with the attitude, “I’m not so bad.”
A fresh glimpse of God’s glory offers us righteousness. The problem of Isaiah’s sinful lips were dealt with by the application of a glowing red hot coal from off of the altar of incense.
Only the fire of divine love could purge his iniquities and cleanse his impure heart. His mouth was made fit for prayer and praise.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:28-29).
Thank God, he places His fire on us, not to destroy us, but to burn up the dross in our lives. His cleansing makes us fit to serve Him.
Finally, a fresh glimpse of God’s glory carries with it a Commission. God needed someone to go and share the message o f God’s glory and love with the people. That is why He revealed Himself to Isaiah. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me (Isa 6:8 KJV).
Many Christians long for the mountain top experiences, the Pentecostal fire outpourings. They live from camp meeting to camp meeting. We must realize that God does not pour out His glory upon us for our entertainment and edification alone. He has a work for us to do.
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest (Mat 9:37-385 KJV).
May God grant us all a renewed vision – a fresh glimpse of God’s glory!