Opening Text: Exodus 33:18-19
(18) And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
(19) And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
Glory = “glory, honour, glorious, abundance, riches, spendour, dignity, reputation.”[1] “Properly weight.”[2]
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Ancillary Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
(26) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
(27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
(28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
(29) That no flesh should glory in his presence.
(30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
(31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Delight in God’s Glory[3] = Glory in the Lord
Main Text: Jeremiah 9:23-24
(23) Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
(24) But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
- Lovingkindness: God is always ready to grant both mercy and grace.
- Judgment: Because of His loving-kindness, God judged sin and placed on Christ the sin of all humanity at Calvary – “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Peter 2:21-25).
- Righteousness: Without a faith in the righteousness of God – believing that He is always dealing with you rightly and justly – you will never truly learn to love, trust and reverence Him – never knowing what it means to truly delight, glory, in the Lord. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
- “…for in these things I delight, saith the Lord…” – John Gill wrote: “…in showing mercy, grace, and favour, to miserable and undeserving men…” Jesus became “an offering for sin…”[4]
The best way to enjoy God forever is by glorifying Him now.
We have begun to delight in God when we determine to use every part of us – “…heart, soul, mind and strength…”[5] – to serve and follow Him.
Jonathan Edwards[6] – To delight in God’s Glory is enjoy a relationship with Him that is so complete that we have a:
- Hatred for sin.
- Fear of displeasing God.
- Hope in the promises of God.
- Contentment in the fellowship of God.
- Desire for more revelation of Jesus Christ.
- Exultation (rejoicing, celebration, joy) in the redemption He gives.
- Grief and contrition (godly sorrow) for failures of love. <Sin is a failure to show love properly.>
- Gratitude for undeserved benefits.
- Zeal (passion, enthusiasm) for God’s purpose.
- Hunger for righteousness.
Faith arises from the Principle of Divine Love:
[Love]…Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
The Principle of Divine Love contains the Power of Perseverance[7]
It bears through all things, believes through all things, hopes through all things, endures through all things.
Not just “IN” all things, but “THROUGH” all things.
When you truly delight in God your loving relationship with Him is so exact and trusting that you know without a shadow of a doubt will get through whatever life brings your way.
Your relationship with God demands a faith – a persevering faith
The initial act of believing faith was a seed.
The continual act of faith is perseverance – letting the seed grow and mature in and through all things.
“…He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
Our faith and delight in the glory of God is realized completely when we no longer glory in ourselves, but entirely on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then we will delight in what He delights in:
- Lovingkindness = mercy, “goodness, kindness, faithfulness.”[8]
- Judgment = “justice, right, rectitude [integrity, goodness, morality].”[9]
- Righteousness = “justice, truthfulness, rightness, moderately [judiciously].”[10]
[1] H3519. Kâbôd. Brown-Driver-Briggs.
[2] H3519. Kâbôd. Strong’s.
[3] John Piper. (2015). The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker.
[4] Jeremiah 9:24. John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible.
[5] Mark 12:30
[6] Notes from the writings of Jonathan Edwards.
[7] John Piper. (2015). The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker. ISBN: 978-0801017087.
[8] H2617. Chesed. Brown-Driver-Briggs.
[9] H4941. Mishpâṭ. Brown-Driver-Briggs.
[10] H666. Tsedâqâh. Brown-Driver-Briggs & Strong’s
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