The Glory of God

Scripture

Exodus 14: 17-18, 31

And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the LORD!”

When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses. 

Observation

1. God delivered the children of Israel to make his glory known.

God did want to relieve their suffering, he did want to deliver them out of slavery, and he did want to make them into a great nation.  That all is true but it was not God's greatest motivation.

His greatest motivation was to make his glory known.

2. When we see God's glory we will worship him truly.

They were filled with awe.  When we see Jesus as he truly is, we will fall down in worship.

3. When God's glory is revealed, it will draw men unto him.

They knew he was lord and they put their faith in him.  They went beyond head knowledge of God to experiential knowledge of God.  When people experience the glory of God firsthand, they will place their faith in him.

Application

1. My greatest motivation must be the glory of God.

I get mixed up and start worry about my glory, my reputation, and my kingdom.  It must be about his glory, the expansion of his kingdom, and his reputation. My motives need to be purified.

2. My obedience will declare his glory.

Moses had to act in faith.  God gave him commands and Moses had to obey those commands.  I declare God's glory through obedience. Sometimes I want to glorify God through great exploits not simple obedience.

Prayer

Change my heart, purify my motives.  May the glory of God be my motivation.  May Jesus be lifted up that all men may be drawn to you.