As in a Mirror

As in the mirror, the glory of the Lord will clearly be demonstrated to us some day; “for now, we see in part, we prophesize in part. However, when He comes and is manifested, we shall resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope on Him cleanses himself just as He is pure” (I John 3:2-3). Paul says that “for now, our knowledge is fragmentary, and our prophecy is fragmentary but when the complete and perfect comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away. For now, we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim reflection, but then we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part, but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]” (I Cor. 13:9,10,13). Persevering in our walk with the Lord, day by day, we will experience God’s glory, as when Moses did after spending forty days and forty nights, not one time, but two times, experienced God’s undeniable and radiant glory shown on his face. Moses’ experience with God was perfect and complete in the physical presence of God. Moses’ intimacy with God, made him a very special individual to this day, for no one has ever experienced it to the extent that Moses did. When he pleaded to see God’s glory, God allowed him to see His back and protected Moses with His hand, so Moses would not see His face and die in His presence. Moses said, “I beseech You, show me Your glory, and God said, I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, THE LORD before you; for I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness; but He said, You can not see My face, for no man shall see Me and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place beside Me, and you shall stand upon the rock and while My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by, Then I will take away My hand and you shall se My back; but My face shall not be seen” (Exodus 33:18-23).

The glory of the Lord shone to the disciples after His resurrection, when He invited them to have breakfast with Him. The glory of the Lord shone brightly over death at His resurrection and salvation was given to all who will receive. YAHSHUA restored Peter into His fellowship after a time questioning him about the love he said to have for Him. Peter experienced personally the love of YAHSHUA in that moment. His life radiated the glory of the Lord from that time onward. From glory to glory, Peter’s life was forever changed. Sanctified into God’s glory, he died for His Lord a death of a martyr. “As in a mirror, we continue beholding the glory of the Lord and we are constantly being transformed, renewed in an ever- increasing splendor from one degree of glory to another” (II Cor. 3:18). A Christian that has dedicated himself to walk the holy walk the Bible teaches no matter what circumstances bring, is evidence of the work of sanctification exercised in his life. For sure, he shines the glory of the Lord in all he does and the Lord God is exalted through him. The closer that we walk with the Lord, the brighter that the splendor of His glory will shine, as silver or gold when they are refined through fire or another means. It will happen when in the valley or in the wilderness, for these places are the refiners of our life.

When we are facing the deserts and valleys, we are standing in the presence of the Lord, as it was for Moses, the man of God. His most important experiences happened in the wilderness amidst trials and tribulations. It was not in the palace, when being considered a prince. No, it was not. But it was on the top of the mountain of God, it was in the wilderness when God descended to him. Moses’ face shone the brightness of the glory of God as a result of being with Him. What does this tell us? A place alone with our Savior and Lord would be a great idea; a place where the noise of the world will not be heard, a place of quiet waters symbolic of a peaceful place, where our hearts are united with the Lord’s, our will entwines with His will. A place where He will calm our hearts of fear, worries and anxieties. It could be even in a closet of our house. A place where we shed tears of repentance and confession, where we spill our hearts and frustrations before the Lord with tears washing away the soul of all hurts we carry within.  And as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord will be revealed to us as it was revealed to His servant, Moses. As we grow from glory to glory, our soul is renewed in the presence of the Lord, day after day until the end of our days on earth.