My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand. Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel ~ Job 29:20-21.
Introduction
Whatever is received as a precious gift from the Lord must be retained, and even maintained, if we’re to enjoy the ongoing blessings it brings. Whenever we access His glory, it must remain evidently fresh in our lives, not attenuated. Nonetheless, this calls for sound wisdom, firmness and discipline.
God’s glory is magnetic, pulling attention (Isaiah 60:3). It is progressive and declarative (Proverbs 4:18; Psalm 19:1). It also shouts majestically through the miraculous works of God and His natural wonders, so that no man can but acknowledge it (John 2:11; 11:4).
God’s glory shouts to us in the blue expanse of the clouds, the occasional rainbows on the horizon, the galaxies, the stars and the unreached exoplanets.Indeed, the entire creation amply reveals the glory of its Maker!
God is not withholding His glory; it’s especially found in Christ. When we duly behold it, we can fully enjoy it. However, there are certain divine values that must be well held before the glory can abide in our rising.
Maintaining the Freshness of God’s Glory
Maintaining the freshness of God’s glory in our lives demands that we live by faith(John 11:40). In life, challenges and trials are inevitable; notwithstanding, we must rise up and fearlessly maintain our position of trust in Christ.
It’s an invaluable part of our faith to maintain glory-provoking confessions. Every word we speak, and every confession we make, either moves us towards a higher level of glory or it pulls us away from it (Proverbs 18:21). We must learn to give life’s situations our own choice names of faith.
In Mark 4:35-41, there was an unusual “wind”; the disciples called it “storm” and they almost perished. However, Jesus Christ called it “peace”and the storm became still. “A man hath joy by the answer of His mouth” (Proverbs 15:23). No wonder that God told Moses: “I will be with thy mouth” (Exodus 4:12-15).
We must be strong in faith, and very courageous (Joshua 1:9). Only the courageous can conquer certain challenges of life. Albeit, it’s as we spend more time in prayers and with the Word that we acquire more strength in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Moreover, a consistent covenant walk with God freshens the glory. Shining in God's kingdom is incident upon our covenant walk with Him; we must be intentional about it. Surely, God will keep His own side of the covenant. It’s in our interest to keep our own side (Proverbs 3:5-7).
Be positively different in this world (Romans 12:2). Fortify yourself with right associations, and be averse to evil communications, thoughts and deeds.Avoid people that wouldn’t encourage you to move forward with Christ. The Bible says, "a companion of fools shall be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20b).
When you surround yourself with people of godly sincerity and radiant positivity, life feels better and brighter (Hebrews 6:12).When you associate with eagles, you’ll soar to great heights; but if you stay with wolves,you must learn to howl. Negative views and dishonorable outlooks can only drain you.
If you’re truly resolved to maintain freshglory, never be surprised if some of your associates, or even inner circle friends, occasionally develop cold feet and eventually jump ship. Those who wish to crawl perpetually will never help you to climb the ladder of glory; and they cannot but find your companionship intolerable.
Again, don't be stagnant in your offering. By covenant, increase it as God blesses you. Yes, worldly wealth is a poor substance; but, we are commanded to honor God with it (Proverbs 3:9-10). Be regular also in the assembly of saints; it provokes an ongoing blessing of glory and strength (Psalms 84:7).
Essentially, be wise in the sight of God by being a soul-winner (Proverbs 11:30). It practically provokes divine attention, and preserves the luster of God’s glory in your life, forever and ever (Daniel 12:3). Work very hard on this: it’s called purposeful living, and the glory of your life cannot be separated from it (John 4:34).
The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but failure to live purposefully while you’re alive. Let’s rise and be involved (1Chronicles 22:16). Sydney Smith admonished, saying: "Let every man be occupied, and occupied in the highest employment of which his nature is capable, and die with the consciousness that he has done his best".
Let’s work hard and smart too, both on our secular assignments and in our kingdom services. “An idle hand”, people say, “is the devil’s workshop”.
Work at being the best you can be for God. Work at reaching the apogee of your career and calling, to the glory of God. Work at bringing solutions to the hurting, aching and needy world. Work at building up Zion, and the glory of God will be ever fresh in you (Psalms 102:16)!
Moreover, as we work, let’s be disciplined. After getting what you prayed and worked for, you still need discipline to keep it."Discipline is the foundation upon which all success is built. Lack of it inevitably leads to failure" (Jim Rohn).
The indolent man is usually full of excuses. Notwithstanding, it’s in the nature of things that he should not succeed in anything. Idleness is the curse of man, not labour.Work may appear to be a burden and a chastisement, but it’s also an honor and a glory.
In conclusion, maintaining the luster of God’s glory in our lives requires that we walk in it, continuously, by the power of the Holy Spirit! The glory of God always looks for dedicated dwelling places.
The dwelling place for God’s glory in the Old Testament was the tabernacle, but we are God’s Tabernacle today (1Corinthians 3:16). Thus, the tabernacle is no longer a fixed building; it’s you and I. It can walkaround, preach the gospel and live to the ultimate glory of God!
After experiencing the glory at Pentecost, the early disciples became separate from the world and they lived as light in the midst of darkness. They went out, preached, worked miracles, turned the world upside down for Jesus Christ, and the Lord added to the Church daily, those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). Brethren, that’s the glory we should be operating in, and that’s the grand plan of God for every believer in Christ today!
In all spiritual reality, when we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, the glory is automatically fitted to our feet to empower us to tread on Satan and all his minions (Isaiah 52:7; Luke 10:19-20).
We can then walk in power, carrying the divine presence, preaching the gospel everywhere and winning souls into God’s kingdom (Mark 16:15-20; Ephesians 6:15). Thereafter, the glory can only glow brighter and brighter in our lives! You won’t miss it, in Jesus name. Amen. Happy Sunday!
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Archbishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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