Day #245 - Fire and Glory
The Presence - A Devotional for living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder
“Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.”
Ezekiel 1:26-28 NIV
Have you ever seen superhero movies or comic books?
Superhero movies and comic books tap into our desire for supernatural beings and powers. Each character in these stories has special powers and it seems like each new character that is developed becomes more powerful than the last. As a boy and youth my mind was captivated by superheroes that could fly, travel through space, destroy planets and protect against evil. These heroes had glorious features that made them superhuman. They were awesome and impressive.
When we think of “the Presence” there is a space for being calm and peaceful with God but there is also a fire and glory to His person and nature. When we behold the Lord and His presence manifests we should see Him as One who is like “glowing metal,””full of fire,””brilliant light surrounded,””rainbow in the clouds…radiance” and “the likeness of the glory of the Lord.”
We should live in holy awe of “the Presence.” When was the last time you were awestruck by an encounter with the Lord? We ought not to be so causal before Him. We should tread with a holy fear and be impressed by His awesome power and might. O that we would be captivated by His radiance.
Sometimes people explain their encounters with the Lord like He is a big teddy bear or their buddy next door. I think to know God’s tender love and mercy, His gentleness and kindness is important but even more powerful when we realize how gentle He is while being so awesome and powerful. All superheroes pale in comparison to His greatness. May we fall before Him as Ezekiel did when He saw Him.
Lord, I want to see You like Ezekiel did. Open my eyes to behold Your glory and fire. Let me see Your radiance. Come near so near until I fall facedown at the brightness of Your shining. Captivate my heart with holy fear and the awesome wonder of who You are. In Jesus name, amen.
As I was praying earlier this morning, this is something I was asking for, that fire and glory would fall upon the Church. That we would fall prostrate before Him as we experience His presence and see His glory. To be totally consumed with the awe/fear of the Lord. Oh Lord, that we would come in one way and leave another way, having been changed by You. That we would step out in love and compassion, with enthusiasm and boldness passion and zeal to share Jesus with the world, no matter the cost. I want to always walk in Your presence Lord. Without You I am nothing. You are my Superhero.
In His presence is where I always want to be. Without it, I am nothing. 🙏🏻♥️