Taking Some Time To Declare The Glory Of God

I was basking in a 61-degree morning as I walked through my neighborhood earlier this week. I looked up at a sky displaying such interesting cloud patterns with the sun trying to poke through and was humbled, comforted, moved, and overwhelmed with gratitude all at once. I almost immediately thought of David’s words in Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (NIV) The entire chapter is nature showcasing God’s glory.

I want to shout, “glory to God” when my corner of Ohio has a 61-degree morning in February. It was a gift in the middle of winter. I didn’t need my usual gloves, hat, or layers of warm clothing. During a season when nature is largely resting and the canvas is dull, God still uses it to remind us that He is. He is in the sparkle in a frosty morning, in the visit of a flock of bright red cardinals outside your window, and in a fabulously nuanced sky.

Why does it take something special – a day, a moment, a gesture, an answer to prayer that jives with our desire – to notice the glory of God around us and in our lives?

The worldly definition of glory centers around renown and high honor. Biblically speaking, glory is much more multi-faceted. While certainly renown and high honor apply, there are many references in scripture that use “glory” to describe the presence or nearness of God. I dare say no one can capture God’s glory in any definition. I’m not really going to try, except to say that on this occasion it struck me as His closeness to me at all times.

That’s where my mind camped out on that walk and in the days following. That unusually mild winter morning and interesting sky made me think of the active presence of God in my life. Just when I think I can’t take another frigid morning or another gray day; when I feel like I’m out of options, alone, or finally admit to feeling lost; He reminds me that He is near. He provides. He comforts. He directs. He answers.

He shows up for me over and over, and I am simply undone. The Creator of Heaven and Earth is an active participant in my life. As if sending Jesus to bear the burden of my sin weren’t already sufficient, He cares enough to be lavishly present and in communication with me. It’s that personal relationship, that intimacy that comes with someone knowing the very heart of you, that is just simply beyond the scope of words. Glory.

It makes me want to sing His praises and tell others. That’s it. I don’t have a bunch of big religious words or church doctrine to throw around. I’m not filling this space today with extra Biblical insight or sharing any profound wisdom. He just reminded me this week that He sees me, He hears my prayers, He knows my needs and my desires, He loves me, and He is always with me.

Friend the very same things apply to you. He knows you. He hears you. He loves you. He is with you. I do want to encourage you to take some time to look for His glory, His nearness in your own life. Slow down and be present. Look for Him more than you look for anything else, and you won’t have any trouble finding Him. His glory surrounds you.

To borrow a concept from the Hillsong Worship song, “So Will I,” if the heavens declare His glory, so will I. If that isn’t enough, I’ll do it a hundred billion times.

Can you declare His glory today?