From the Dictionary of Theology:
In the Old Testament the word for “glory” is the Hebrew word כָּבֹוד “kabowd” which carries the idea of heaviness and weight. In the New Testament the Greek word is δόξα “doxa” which carries the idea of opinion, judgment, estimate, splendor, brightness, etc. It is used to speak of great honor, praise, value, wonder, and splendor. Glory is spoken of in reference to people and God. Glory is given by God and also is a manifestation of God’s greatness and presence that is awesome to behold.
But to really define glory virtually impossible. It’s the sum of WHO God is, WHAT He is and WHAT He does. How can that all be summed up in a neat one-sentence definition?
Personally, I’ve come to know God’s glory to be the external, present, manifestation of His presence in my life and all around me. For me, it is sensing, seeing and feeling his character and attributes manifested spiritually and physically. God’s glory is the FULL sum of who He is and what He does. When basking in His glory I am completely consumed, feeling as if my heart may nearly burst from being FULL of His love and His light.
God’s glory is The Lord of the Universe putting Himself on display for us to see and experience. And everywhere we look and in everything we do, His glory is evident, if we have eyes to see.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
Jesus himself is the express image of God’s glory. He is the sum of God’s character, attributes and actions all wrapped up in human form.
And 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
As Jesus is the express image of God’s glory, our lives should reflect His glory. As true disciples and followers of Christ we ought to be a tangible representation of His truth, love and grace in all the earth. As He takes us from glory to glory, we in turn ought to give Him more glory. Our demonstrations of praise, worship and love for mankind give Him glory.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
1 Chronicles 16:24
Oh God that we would have eyes to see and ears to hear; to immerse ourselves in the weight of your glory. For it to completely envelope us like a cloak of fog in the UK.
Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting,
and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:34
Oh Lord that we your people would bask in your glory, that we would be so completely saturated by it. That we would absorb its life sustaining nutrients and that we would then reflect its brilliance.
Arise, shine; For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
Isaiah 60:1
Join me in basking in His glory.
As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!