The Glory of God

For some time now I have had this one quote by A.W. Tozer that has shown up in my thoughts… It is random and regular at the same time, (Yeah, I know that is strange).

The quote is:

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

― A.W. Tozer

This thought came to mind most recently this weekend past when I was reading 1 Chronicles 29:10-22. The heading of this passage in my ESV translation is “David Prays in the Assembly” and it is just before Solomon is anointed, King. It is a wonderful prayer of praise to God… One that just filled my heart as I read it.

Verses 11-13 just caused my heart to swell with joy as I considered the power and majesty of God.

“11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”

When I consider this passage I cannot fathom the greatness of God… nor the smallness of myself. I am humbled by these thoughts. And as I ponder this all I can think of is that this Mighty God loved me enough that He gave His Son so that I might rejoin Him.

I went to Jeremiah 29:11-13

“11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

And from there to James 1:12-15

“12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

And then John 1. Firsts verses 1-5, then 9-13 and 14-18. I will not write them all out, but only 14-18

“14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”

I am so taken by all this. How awesome is our God! It is not all easy… but it is all worth it. I am comforted by a passage in James.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

I came across this prayer by Tozer that helped me process these thoughts.

“O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, ‘Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.’ Then give me the grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.”

― A.W. Tozer

“I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty”

And I thought I was done today with these things, but 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 came to mind and I listened to the teachings of Paul…

” 1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

My heart is filled with thanksgiving and praise for God alone… and at last I am at a loss for words…