Here at this family conference at Big Sandy, which is basically a Bible conference with tailored instruction for the children as well, the statement above is the overall theme. We started the week by getting to see some of the glory of God in person by watching the eclipse together, with comments from astronomer Spike Psarris, who came from atheism to Christ as he realized the irreconcilable problems with the big bang theory, plus his personal need to be saved from his sin.
Yes, “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Ps. 19:1a) and “the whole earth is full of His glory” (Is. 6:3). His glory is all His goodness or as the hymn states, “all the characters He wears”. Note the third verse of “O Could I Speak the Matchless Worth” (Samuel Medley):
I’d sing the characters He bears,
And all the forms of love He wears,
Exalted on His throne.
In loftiest songs of sweetest praise,
I would to everlasting days
Make all His glories known,
Make all His glories known.
(In studying God’s Word, we see many manifestations of His glory, but clearly, the ultimate expression of the glory of God is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. In II Corinthians 4, “the light of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (v. 4) is further explained in verses 5 and 6:
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
An outworking of God’s glory in this chapter is His powerful work through us, even despite us. Because of this reality, we are to “not lose heart” in the ministry God has given us:
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (II Cor 4:1-2)
But we have this treasure (see the end of verse 4) in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (v. 7)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (v. 16)
As we ponder the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, may we rejoice in His enabling grace and thus, not lose heart as we serve Him!