As a child, I wondered about the vastness of the night sky, and how and why there were so many stars. My questions were not answered until I took our ministry’s Foundational Class, and consequently, I began to appreciate the majesty and power of my heavenly Father. He is the God of glory, Whose majesty and power are clearly manifested for all on earth to see.
God has many titles to describe Himself, and His attributes are so multifaceted that no one characteristic could fully describe Him. One way He lets us know Who He is, is by way of the title “the God of glory.” There are two scriptures in the King James Version of the Bible where this title occurs.
In Psalm 29:1-4, we can see God’s power and majesty on display.
Psalm 29:1-4:
Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
Acts 7:2 is our other scripture where this title appears. Stephen, a man full of wisdom and spiritual believing, reminded those Judeans he was speaking to of when “…the God of glory appeared unto our father [forefather] Abraham….”
Let’s see what “glory” as found in this title means so we can have a better understanding of our heavenly Father’s majesty and power. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for “glory” in Psalm 29:3 is kabod, which here indicates a visibly manifested splendor and magnificence. In the New Testament, “glory” in Acts 7:2 is the Greek word doxa, which means power manifested; that appearance of splendor that attracts attention. And in this verse, doxa expresses the powerful nature of God in manifestation. “Glory” is a term used to express what we can see and comprehend of the powerful presence of God on the earth. This is the splendor that attracted my attention long ago as I looked up into the heavens in awesome wonder.
With our understanding of the word “glory,” let’s now look at some expressions of God’s glory that will help us to see and comprehend His powerful presence on earth. We can appreciate His amazing greatness—His majesty—even more when we consider His perfection, His ability to create the heavens and the earth, and His power.
God’s glory is associated with His perfection. He is not only perfect but glorious as well. His Word communicated in the heavens declares His glory, and His written Word is perfect.
Psalm 19:1,7:
The heavens declare the glory of God….
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
We can see God’s glory in His creation.
Psalm 8:1:
O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Isaiah 6:3:
…Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
God’s glory is associated with His power.
Colossians 1:11:
Strengthened with all might, according to his [God’s] glorious power….
These are some tremendous qualities of God’s divine nature that help us perceive His glory so we can praise Him for His greatness.
God has many titles to describe Himself, and one of them is “the God of glory.” The God of glory is evidenced by all His wondrous and mighty works. And what a fitting expression this title of God is to describe His majesty and power!
The answers I sought concerning the heavens so long ago have been taught to me from God’s Word. And now, because of the understanding we have regarding God’s majesty and power as expressed in one of His titles, “the God of glory,” we can boldly declare these truths to all who will hear. Then they, too, may personally know and understand the God of glory—the One Whose power and majesty they see manifested on the earth—as their own heavenly Father.