Who is God? – Day 7
Awe-inspiring
Bible text(s)
Exodus 34
The world loves splendour, greatness and fame, but not necessarily in that order. Each country has its own effects that highlight this, whether it is the splendour of the monarch on the throne, the magnificence of a military parade, the brilliance of a national sports team that has become champions, or the glitz of show business, to name but a few. In fact, the world often appears to be intoxicated by power and its glamour and seems to revolve around it. Worldly power and splendour, however, when compared with the glory of the Creator of the world, appear to be on a vastly different level.
Ironically the passage above gives a relatively concise description of an awe-inspiring, magnificent and Almighty God, and yet do not the first words of the proclamation speak volumes? These words together create an amazing picture for us of God’s nature, which is wrapped up in His goodness, mercy and justice. Does this even compare with the notion of greatness in the world?
When Moses asked God to show him His glory, did he really know what he was asking, or was he so overwhelmed by the magnitude of his mission that in spite of God’s gracious promise to go with him, he, like many of us when faced with an enormous challenge, wanted God to prove His magnitude to him. He is actually quite outspoken considering Whom he is speaking to — however, God is understanding and agrees to show Moses His glory, but does not allow him to see His face, because no one can see His face and live.
God’s glory is His goodness: compassion, grace, patience with wrongdoers, overflowing love and faithfulness to thousands, forgiveness and justice. It radiates from Him because He is overflowing with it. His glory comes from within, whereas the world’s glory is on the outside. God’s glory will never disappoint because of its very nature: the outpouring of love and forgiveness which will continue forever because He is eternal, unlike that of the world which is superficial, and has a shelf life, and disappears as quickly as it arrived.
Who is God?
