Radiant Glory

Scripture:

Psa. 34:4      ¶ I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
        and delivered me from all my fears.
Psa. 34:5     Look to him, and be radiant;
        so your faces shall never be ashamed.
Psa. 34:6     This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD,
        and was saved from every trouble.
Psa. 34:7     The angel of the LORD encamps
        around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Matt. 5:14 ¶ “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
Matt. 5:15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Matt. 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Observation:

Over and over we are reminded of the fact that we are to reflect the glory of the Lord.  David had found himself in a very difficult circumstance, surrounded by the enemy.  What did he do?  He looked to God to deliver him.  He was seeking the very face of God -- turning toward the God that he knew loved him and would care for him in the midst of his deepest need.  As he looked to God his face radiated with the glory of God's very presence.  The result was that God heard his cries and rescued him from his difficult situation.

Moving to the New Testament we find Jesus preaching the Sermon on the Mount.  Again he talks about the light and the fact that now we are the light!  How do we become the light?  The light is from God alone and we must seek the face of God which results in us becoming  his light to the world.  It is his radiant glory that lights up the world and this is the light that no one can hide.  The entire house will be brightened, and as we walk through the world it will light the path before us. 

Application:

Whenever we read about God's radiant glory we know that he is present.  Moses is the ultimate expression of this radiance when he returns from the mountain, his face glowing.  The people were so disturbed by this that they asked him to wear a veil over his face. 

David knew that he was in desperate need of help from the Father.  He was a man who knew how to settle into God's holy presence, relaxing in the grace of God.  This is where we need to find ourselves;  we must seek the face of God on a daily basis, and only in this way can we experience the angels of God who will encamp around us in our times of trouble.  Notice that David was not without trouble!  His life was filled with trouble and difficulties, but he knew how to call upon God and then, even in the midst of the struggles he was surrounded by God's holy presence. 

Sadly, even those who call themselves "Christ-followers" seem to be trying to make it alone these days.  Taking the time necessary to seek the face of God seems to be inconvenient.  Instead we want something that will be a little faster and easier.  It was never fast or easy for Moses, David or Jesus;  why should it be for us? 

We have homes that need to be filled with the brightness of the presence of Jesus!  Have you ever walked into a home and felt the oppression and darkness?  How can this darkness be dispelled?  By having a follower of Jesus Christ in that home!  Even one person who is seeking the face of Jesus and is radiant with is glory can change the atmosphere for the entire home.  The light of one can light the entire home, helping the entire household find their way to God. 

We are not a people in need of new strategies for bringing people to Christ; we are a people who need to seek the face of God.  It is his radiant glory which will attract people, not to us, but to him.  And may the light of Jesus shine down upon us daily as we keep our eyes turned toward him.

Prayer:

Lord, today I seek you. I am in desperate need of your holy presence!  Amen.