Made For Glory

Read: Isaiah 60:1-3

Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the LORD rises and appears over you. Isaiah 60:2

IN WORD

“God will not share His glory with another.” This paraphrase of Isaiah 42:8 and 48:11 is often expressed in absolute terms, as if God never shares His glory with anyone at all. But these verses were stated in the context of idolatry. For a fuller picture, we need only to look at Moses, who shone with the glory of God (Exodus 34:29-30); at the prayer of Jesus to share His glory with His followers (John 17:22); at how God transforms His people into a glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18); at how we will be glorified with Christ (Romans 8:17-18); and at Peter’s insistence that we can participate in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). In fact, we were originally made in God’s image and are being restored to that image in Christ. Is it possible to bear His image without also bearing His glory? Of course not. The idea is absurd, and the result would be less than glorifying to Him. No, we were created for glory.

According to Isaiah’s prophecy, the Lord rises on His people and His glory is seen on us. We are participants in the divine drama, not just spectators, and not antagonists. He doesn’t just show His glory to us; He shows His glory through us. Whether we’re comfortable with that is not the issue. It’s His desire. He can do what He wants with the people He has created. He is fully free to lavish His goodness, grace, and glory on us however He wills.

IN DEED

How do we respond to such extravagance? We let Him. We realize our part in the redemption story and live as restored creatures fully alive and thoroughly saturated with the presence of God. We have no need to be pushy, pretentious, or contentious in our relationships with others; we live as those who are deeply, forever loved. Yes, we may pray bold prayers for truth to be known and miracles to be displayed, but we leave the results up to Him. We no longer live in futility or fear; we live as those who are highly favored. And we do it in the midst of deep darkness, where glory shines the brightest.

ADDITIONAL READING: Romans 8:17-18

Numerous passages of Scripture assert that the manifestation of the glory of God is the great end of creation.

ROBERT HALDANE