I have been thinking about the phrase from Luke, “The glory of the Lord shown all around the shepherds.” God showed His glory to the shepherds, what does that mean? Almost always in the Bible when the term “glory of God” is used it refers to God revealing something about who He is. Usually the glory of God is accompanied by lights so bright it is almost blinding. When you read in Exodus about Moses’ encounter with God, God’s glory was so strong that Moses’ face became radiant while in the presence of God. Maybe that is why Moses was a powerful spiritual leader because his face radiated the very presence of God. I wonder, can people tell from our lives and faces that we have met God? Moses once asked God, “Show me Your Glory.” God answered Moses by saying, “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you.” In other words, “I will show you My glory in compassion, kindness, love, goodness, and mercy.” When Jesus was born He fully revealed the glory of God showing us who God is. If you want to see God’s glory, then see His goodness in Jesus. When the Bible asks us to do all things for the glory of God, it means that we are to live in such a way that our lives reflect His goodness, kindness, mercy, and compassion. Live in such a way today that the glory of God shines all around you.
– Dr. Tim Thompson