JULY 2017

Michelle was getting mashed potatoes ready for the potluck last week we had after worship.  (By the way, our next ones are on the 9th and then the 23rd, come and join us.  It is good to break bread together) Kaitlyn was watching her and Michelle told her that if she wanted some that she should get in line pretty  early because they will probably go quickly.  Michelle also told Kaitlyn that she probably wouldn’t get any because she would wait until everyone else went through to eat.  So Kaitlyn, without missing a beat said to Michelle, “well then you better taste their glory now.”  My girls do love mashed potatoes. 

As I have had a chance to laugh at and think about what Kaitlyn said to Michelle, I have been     thinking about the wonderful words from the hymn “Blessed Assurance” - “O what a foretaste of glory      divine.”  Have we ever had a taste of the glory?  Gotten a glimpse of the glory of God?  At a lot of our district and conference meetings, we will talk about glory sightings, those places where we have seen God at work.

In Psalm 97:6 the psalmist declares that “The heavens proclaim his (the Lord’s) righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.”  It is there, but do we know what it is.  Sometimes it is easy to see, the work of God, God revealing himself.  Isaiah says that “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.  Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.  The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.” (Isaiah 35:1-2) Sometimes for those who have eyes to see, it is so obvious.

Scripture also reveals to us that there are probably a few things we need to have in order to         recognize and see more and more of this glory that God is revealing.  Remember when Jesus was at the tomb about to raise Lazarus?  "Take away the stone," he said.  "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."  Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:39-40) Do we believe we will see it?  Do we believe that our God is still at work in our lives, this world and all of His creation?  When we wake up in the morning, is it with the thought of I get to see God reveal His glory today?  Do we really believe that those places that are dead, those bodies that are worn out, those spirits that are broken can be brought back, revived, healed?  Do we truly believe?

We also find a hint in David’s 63rd Psalm.  It says “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.” (Psalm 63:1-2) Are we seeking?  Really seeking?  As one who is in need of water searches for water?  Or are we more like the one who is hungry for a good    burger, but I know if I can’t find a good burger place, I have plenty of other options? 

I will end by reminding you of what David wrote in Psalm 34:1-8 “I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.  My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.  Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.  I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.  Taste and see that the LORD is good.”  He is good and His glory is so much better than that of mashed potatoes. 

Because of Him,
Lynn