Christian Writers Circle

Glory in His Presence
by Judy Hitson

Jude 1:24 NASB Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,

Isaiah 3:8 NASB For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen,
Because their speech and their actions are against the LORD,
To rebel against His glorious presence.

A stark contrast is apparent in these verses regarding glory in God’s presence, to stand in it or rebel against it. When I found these Scripture passages and read them together, it shook me to the core. As a fresh revelation from the Lord, it stunned me to see the contrast and choice for mankind. May it be so to your heart as well.

Consider the greatness of God. He is able to keep us from stumbling and make us stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy. Think about that.

Now ask:

Do I know God and experience the glory of His presence in my life?
Do I practice His presence?
Am I filled with joy and strength to follow Him?

When we come to know the Lord and experience His presence, we discover fullness of joy, promised in His word, Ps. 16:11. We learn our need to rely on Him, not ourselves. Like Moses, we may pray for the presence of God and to see His glory, Ex.33:13-22.

Otherwise, like Jerusalem and Judah, we might rebel against God’s glorious presence by stumbling or fall because our speech and our actions are against the LORD.

This brings to mind the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. God is in control. He gives us a choice. We can rely on Him and be blessed in His glorious presence or rebel against it by speaking and acting against Him.

In my understanding, glory, in relation to the presence of God, is  to honor and respect Him, give Him credit for all He has done for us. May we be captured by glory in His presence and not lured by earthly attractions. He is worthy of our attention and our affection. He is God. He is love. Let us bask in the glory of His presence.

Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, renew and revive us to experience glory in the presence of God and give glory to Jesus Christ with our lives. Amen.