In the previous message I looked at how we can learn to practice the presence of God through what we see of His glory down here on earth. The Angels declared 2600 years ago that the whole earth ‘was’ full of His glory now , but what we see is only a whisper of what He is really like. What we see of Him is just the finger prints of God, but they can help us to worship Him. Job says that what we see is only the outer fringes of God’s garments.
“And these are but the outer fringe of his works ; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?" Job 26:14 NIV
There are signs of His presence everywhere for those whose eyes are opened and are also praying that they will perceive and recognise Him.
Phil 3:10 AMPC [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] …”
If you look carefully there are nuggets of His glory to be seen all around us that help us praise God and practice His presence. For us to do this well it’s so important to know the word of God and what it says about Him; otherwise how will you know when things are speaking of Him or when He’s speaking to you? If you don’t know the code, it would be like going to a foreign country and not understanding the language. We need to know the code that is given to us in the word. The glory of God is available for all to see but we also need the word to decipher it more effectually.
“And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendour and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 AMPC
I like what it says in the classic amplified version of the Bible. It says that it’s through the word we understand the glory of God and in seeing His glory we are changed to become like Him. When Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up He was forever changed. We may not have an experience like he did but we do have His word with us now and it’s through this we can have the same end result. Jesus said to Thomas that “blessed are those who believe without seeing”. Faith comes through the word of God. All that God is, is in His word, in what is written. We can use the word to praise God and the life within His word is imparted to us. The image of God is revealed to us through the word and has the same effect as it did on Isaiah because the Spirit of God which has been poured out on all flesh.
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 KJV
We may not be able to see Jesus physically, but when we believe what He has said in the word about himself it is just as powerful as the real thing and very pleasing to the Lord when we believe what He says. One thing very important to understand is that Jesus isn’t the same anymore. He is not the same as He was in His human body when He walked the shores of Galilee. He is now glorified. Paul explains this in Corinthians.
“So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! “2 Corinthians 5:16 NLB New Living Bible
“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17:5
Just like Angels, Jesus can choose to appear in any form He likes, but He is now far different in heaven than when He was here on earth. We get glimpses of His splendour and His glorified body from scripture. He has been given the glory He had with the Father before the world began. Let’s look at a few of these verses. John saw the glorified Jesus in the Book of Revelation.
“ I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” Revelation 1:12-16
“Instantly I was taken into the spirit realm, and behold—I saw a heavenly throne set in place and someone seated upon it. His appearance was sparkling like crystal and glowing like a carnelian gemstone. Surrounding the throne was a circle of green light, like an emerald Rainbow. Encircling the great throne were twenty-four thrones with elders in glistening white garments seated upon them, each wearing a golden crown of victory. And pulsing from the throne were blinding flashes of lightning, crashes of thunder, and voices. And burning before the throne are seven blazing torches, which represent the seven Spirits of God. and in front of the throne there was pavement like a crystal sea of glass. Revelation 4:2-6
“I was caught up at once in deep worship and, oh!—a Throne set in Heaven with One Seated on the Throne, suffused in gem hues of amber and flame with a nimbus of emerald. Twenty-four thrones circled the Throne, with Twenty-four Elders seated, white-robed, gold-crowned. Lightning flash and thunder crash pulsed from the Throne.” Revelation 4:2-5 Msg
Peter James and John also saw Jesus in His glorified state on the mount of Transfiguration.
“His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light.” Matthew 17:2 Msg
In the Old Testament we see the Glory that Jesus had before the foundation of the world. The Prophet Ezekiel had an amazing vision of God. The Prophet Daniel, Habakkuk and Isaiah also saw the glory of God.
“Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day—that’s what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God! When I saw all this, I fell to my knees, my face to the ground. Then I heard a voice. Ezekiel 1:26-28 msg
“Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.” NIV
“and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.” Ezekiel 43:2 NIV
“I looked up, and suddenly there before me stood a person robed in linen garments, with a belt of purest gold around his waist and glowing, lustrous skin! From his face came blinding flashes like lightning, and his eyes were pools of fire; his arms and feet shone like polished brass, and his voice was like the roaring of a vast multitude of people.” Daniel 10:5 TLB The Living Bible
“Coming up from the south through Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Skies are blazing with his splendour, his praises sounding through the earth, His cloud-brightness like dawn, exploding, spreading, forked-lightning shooting from his hand” — Habakkuk 3:3-4 Msg
“Who is this who comes from Edom, With garments of glowing colours from Bozrah, This One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength?” Isaiah 63:1 NASV New American Standard Version
Here we have visions of God that are written down in His word. I know that when we meditate on God’s word we will prosper and have good success. Joshua 1:8 and in Psalm 1. The greatest vision you can ever have is of God. The more you mediate on these verses the more you will be filled with awe. The Spirit of God will be able to implant His treasure into your heart which will be like nuclear fuel to your soul. We are surrounded today by stuff that doesn’t encourage thoughts of God – or can they? The trouble is we are blind and need to have our eyes opened. All the ingredients are with us every day to help us praise Him. More so now than ever before with all the colours and lights we have in this modern age. Golden things are everywhere even if they are imitation objects, and gold is used often to describe the Lord. With LED lighting we have shining lights before us all the time. For instance, we have the colour amber, red and green shining at us through the traffic lights. It says that Jesus is suffused in gem hues of amber (orange) and flame (Red) and a halo of emerald (green). Whenever you are at the traffic lights you can say in an act or worship.
“Lord you are suffused in gem hues of amber and flame with a nimbus of emerald”. Revelation 4:2-5 Message
You’ll also be surprised at see how many bright blue lights there are now days. Ezekiel says that God’s throne is made up of bright sapphires which are blue. It also says that the Lord in the Song of Songs is decked with jewels, especially sapphires.
“His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is polished ivory, bedecked with sapphires.” S/S 5:14
It says that His voice is as the sound of many waters. Here is another reminder that it’s time to praise the Lord, when you hear the rain pattering on the roof or walk beside a mountain stream. The roar of the sea is also a great opportunity to turn your heart towards God.
“and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.” Rev 1:15
The Song of Songs says that Jesus is overcome by the glances of our worshipping eyes. As we see these things and acknowledgment Him it is very special to the Lord. It’s like a beautiful perfume filling the air.
“While the king sits at his table, my spikenard (perfume) sends forth the smell thereof.” S/S 1:12
As your heart changes more and more, it becomes filled with love for Him and your words of worship are like wine pouring out unto God. All these things are around us every day and remind us of Him. As the song that won the Eurovision song contest in 1970 by Dana says. “All kinds of everything remind me of you.” I read once of a man who was put in a prison for a long time with no contact with the outside world. Now and then a sparrow would land on his cell windowsill and he was so amazed at its beauty and the creativity of God. Even a blade of grass was such a pleasure to him. We take so much for granted and become blind to all the wonders of God around us very day. Believe me His fingerprints and the signs of His presence are everywhere. I want to put before you some common everyday things that can help to provoke you to praise and worship God. Of course I want to make it plain that if you have sin in your life you will find it hard to do this for a hard heart blinds you. Can’t see Him.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb 12:14