The Glory of God

Title: The Glory of God

Author: Elisabeth Elliot

When God's power is manifested in the world, in his creation, or in his people, God is glorified. When we pray that our lives may glorify Him, we are asking that the self may be put down, for it is not possible to show the power of God and at the same time to glorify what George MacDonald called "the bastard self." We must be prepared to lose ourselves, whatever that may entail, that God may be all in all. Losing an argument for his sake, losing something we held dear, losing "face," reputation, a position of power or superiority, losing a claim on someone or on his affection or respect--can these be a part of the answer to our prayer to glorify God in our lives? Assuredly they can, for assuredly the Son Himself laid aside all such assets when He came to do the will of the Father.

"I have glorified Thee on the earth'' (Jn 17:4 AV), He said--and that glory was manifested through weakness, loss, and suffering. What a privileged position we are called to share.

Lord, lift up our eyes, away from ourselves and our small losses, up to that glory yet to be revealed. Teach us that it is only out of weakness that we are made strong, only as we suffer that we may reign, only as we lose that we may gain.

La Republica Dominicana

A song we sang all week was “Santo, Santo, Santo, yo quiero ver te” or “Holy, Holy, Holy, I want to see you.” While I have never actually thought about what it means to see God, or for the eyes of my heart to be opened, this was a prayer that God really answered while in the RD. Time and time again I saw hearts break and change right before my eyes.

Ruth, a girl about my age, came up to me and asked for help with her English homework in an ice cream parlor. I helped her and then proceeded to share the gospel with her. (Everyone in the country pretty much believed in God and Jesus, but had no understanding of grace.) So she believed that the Bible was true, so I asked her, "If you died today, would you go to heaven or hell?" She replied, “I would for sure go to hell. There is no way that a God so perfect and big could ever love a sinner like me.” This blew my mind. She had such an accurate understanding of who God is and who we are. We read a tract together and I explained that no matter how good or bad we are has no bearings on if we get to heaven or not -- it is only by the grace of God. It was so neat to watch this girl go from speaking confidently and loud, to quiet and cracky and burst into tears at the realization that God loved her and wanted a relationship with her. It is so sweet that God is the same in the US, the RD, China, and everywhere else in the world, even when cultures, etc. are so different.

I am so thankful I was able to spend my spring break in the Dominican Republic and see the Lord do incredibly crazy things! My understanding of who God is -- perfect, holy, AWESOME, good, BIG -- was like a full cup before I left in comparison to the ocean of huge waves that keep smacking me in the face with the goodness of God. While I am overwhelmed by the love and greatness of God, I know my understanding is still so little as to how amazing our God really is.

Suffering is a PRIVILEGE!

"You have been granted the privilege not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for Him" (Phil 1:29 NEB).

"For the Lord who loves her suffered and wants her to fellowship with Himself. The joy of thus knowing Him comes not in spite of but because of suffering, just as resurrection comes out of death. I have a Savior because I am a sinner, and beauty is given the child of God in exchange for ashes.

We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others." -- Elisabeth Elliot

Jeremiah (my favorite ever) writes in chapter 20 verses 7-9:

I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me… So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

While Jeremiah suffered for God, he could not hold the Word of the Lord in. Is this what our lives look like? Can we not contain the love and truth of Christ?

Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. Jeremiah 20:13

Misrepresenting Jesus.

"We are not responsible for outsiders' decisions, but we are accountable when our actions and attitudes--misrepresenting a holy, just and loving God--have pushed outsiders away." UnChristian