Experiencing God's Glory Amidst Life's Chaos
Summary
In reflecting on the glory of God, it's easy to feel disconnected from the divine presence amidst the chaos of daily life. Yet, the Bible assures us that God's glory fills the earth, even if we don't always perceive it. There are rare, profound moments when God's presence becomes overwhelmingly real, such as during my conversion to Christianity. These experiences are not everyday occurrences, but they shape our spiritual journey significantly.
One pivotal moment in my life occurred a year after my conversion. Unable to sleep, I felt compelled to leave my dormitory and walk in the stillness of a winter night. This led me to the college chapel, where I was overwhelmed by the presence of God the Father. This encounter was different from my conversion experience, focusing on the majesty and holiness of God rather than His love or mercy.
In a philosophy class, I was introduced to Augustine's view of creation, which emphasized the power of God's word. The idea that God could create the universe with a simple command was awe-inspiring. This revelation deepened my understanding of God's transcendent nature, a theme that continued to resonate with me.
The story of Jacob's ladder in Genesis further illustrates the connection between heaven and earth. Jesus, in the New Testament, identifies Himself as the bridge between the divine and the earthly, emphasizing His role in revealing God to us. Despite feeling distant from God at times, we are reminded of His promise to be with us always, even when we don't feel His presence.
In moments of doubt, like when I preached at a church where the pastor was gravely ill, I learned not to rely on my feelings to gauge God's presence. Instead, I trust in His promises, knowing that He is with us even in the darkest times. This trust is crucial, as it allows us to recognize God's presence even when we are unaware of it, much like Jacob's realization that God was with him.
Key Takeaways:
- The glory of God is present in the world, even if it's not always visible in our daily lives. We must seek those rare, profound moments when God's presence becomes overwhelmingly real, shaping our spiritual journey. [01:46]
- God's word is powerful, capable of creating the universe with a simple command. This understanding of God's transcendent nature deepens our appreciation of His majesty and holiness. [08:43]
- Jesus serves as the bridge between heaven and earth, revealing God to us and restoring our relationship with the Father. This connection emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus' role in our spiritual lives. [17:50]
- Trusting in God's promises is essential, especially when we feel distant from Him. Our faith should not rely on feelings but on the assurance that God is always with us, even in the darkest times. [22:24]
- Experiencing the presence of God often leads to a sense of awe and reverence. This response is a natural reaction to encountering the divine, reminding us of the majesty and holiness of God. [23:53]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - The Glory of God in Daily Life
[01:04] - Rare Moments of Divine Presence
[01:46] - Conversion and Life-Changing Encounters
[02:28] - A Night Walk to the Chapel
[03:05] - The Stillness of the Night
[03:46] - Entering the Chapel
[05:09] - Overwhelmed by God's Presence
[05:52] - Focus on God the Father
[06:35] - Philosophy Class Revelation
[08:00] - Augustine's Divine Imperative
[08:43] - The Power of God's Word
[10:11] - Early Christian Experiences
[11:25] - Encountering the God of Israel
[12:12] - The Holiness of God
[13:42] - Transcendence and Immanence
[15:53] - Jacob's Ladder and Divine Connection
[17:50] - Jesus as the Bridge
[19:09] - Trusting God's Promises
[21:04] - Preaching in Crisis
[23:03] - Realizing God's Presence
[23:53] - Awe and Reverence
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 28:10-17 (Jacob's Ladder)
2. John 1:51 (Jesus as the bridge between heaven and earth)
3. Hebrews 13:5 (God's promise to never leave us)
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 28:10-17, what vision does Jacob have, and how does it connect heaven and earth?
2. How does Jesus describe Himself in John 1:51, and what does this imply about His role in our spiritual lives?
3. According to the sermon, what was the speaker's experience in the college chapel, and how did it differ from his conversion experience? [05:09]
4. What does Hebrews 13:5 promise believers, and how does this relate to the speaker's experience of feeling God's absence during a sermon? [22:24]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the vision of Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28:10-17 illustrate the connection between the divine and the earthly realms?
2. What does Jesus' statement in John 1:51 reveal about His role as the mediator between God and humanity?
3. In the sermon, the speaker describes a profound experience of God's presence in the chapel. How does this experience highlight the majesty and holiness of God? [05:52]
4. How can Hebrews 13:5 provide comfort and assurance to believers who feel distant from God, as described in the sermon? [22:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt disconnected from God's presence. How can the promise in Hebrews 13:5 encourage you during such times? [22:24]
2. The speaker mentioned a profound experience of God's presence in a chapel. Have you ever had a similar experience? How did it impact your faith journey? [05:09]
3. Jesus is described as the bridge between heaven and earth. How can recognizing this role of Jesus influence your daily spiritual practices? [17:50]
4. In moments of doubt or crisis, like the speaker's experience preaching during a pastor's illness, how can you rely on God's promises rather than your feelings? [19:09]
5. The sermon emphasizes the power of God's word in creation. How can this understanding deepen your appreciation for the Bible and its teachings? [08:43]
6. Consider the awe and reverence Jacob felt in Genesis 28:10-17. How can you cultivate a similar sense of reverence in your worship and prayer life?
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to trust God's presence. What steps can you take this week to strengthen your trust in His promises? [22:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Seeking God's Glory in Everyday Life
In the midst of our busy and chaotic lives, it can be challenging to perceive the glory of God that fills the earth. However, the Bible assures us that His presence is always with us, even if we don't always recognize it. There are rare and profound moments when God's presence becomes overwhelmingly real, shaping our spiritual journey in significant ways. These moments are not everyday occurrences, but they remind us of the divine reality that surrounds us. By seeking these moments and being open to experiencing God's glory, we can deepen our relationship with Him and grow in our faith. [01:46]
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a moment in your life when you felt God's presence in a profound way. How can you create space in your daily routine to be more open to experiencing His glory?
Day 2: The Power of God's Word
The power of God's word is awe-inspiring, as it is capable of creating the universe with a simple command. This understanding of God's transcendent nature deepens our appreciation of His majesty and holiness. By reflecting on the power of God's word, we can gain a greater understanding of His divine nature and the authority He holds over all creation. This revelation invites us to approach God with reverence and awe, recognizing the significance of His word in our lives. [08:43]
"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host." (Psalm 33:6, ESV)
Reflection: Consider the power of God's word in your life. How can you incorporate more of His word into your daily routine to experience its transformative power?
Day 3: Jesus as the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth
Jesus serves as the bridge between heaven and earth, revealing God to us and restoring our relationship with the Father. This connection emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus' role in our spiritual lives. By understanding Jesus as the bridge, we can appreciate the depth of His love and sacrifice for us, and the way He connects us to the divine. This understanding encourages us to draw closer to Jesus and rely on Him as our mediator and guide in our spiritual journey. [17:50]
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on how Jesus acts as a bridge in your life. What steps can you take to strengthen your relationship with Him and rely on Him more fully as your mediator?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Promises
Trusting in God's promises is essential, especially when we feel distant from Him. Our faith should not rely on feelings but on the assurance that God is always with us, even in the darkest times. By trusting in His promises, we can find comfort and strength, knowing that He is faithful and will never leave us. This trust allows us to recognize God's presence even when we are unaware of it, much like Jacob's realization that God was with him. [22:24]
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a promise of God that you find difficult to trust in. How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and choose to trust in that promise today?
Day 5: Experiencing Awe and Reverence in God's Presence
Experiencing the presence of God often leads to a sense of awe and reverence. This response is a natural reaction to encountering the divine, reminding us of the majesty and holiness of God. By cultivating a sense of awe and reverence in our spiritual lives, we can deepen our relationship with God and grow in our understanding of His greatness. This response encourages us to approach God with humility and gratitude, recognizing the privilege of being in His presence. [23:53]
"Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!" (Psalm 33:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt awe and reverence in God's presence. How can you cultivate a greater sense of awe and reverence in your daily life?
Quotes
The Bible tells us that the glory of God fills the entire earth. And I don’t know how many times I’ve read that in the Scripture, but every time I read about the glory of God filling the earth I scratch my head a little bit. When I look outside, I don’t see a whole lot of the glory of God. [00:00:06]
I’m talking about those special moments – those weighty moments – when you feel the almost palpable sense of the presence of God so overwhelming, so overbearing that you can’t ignore it and you become intensely aware of His glory. And of course one of the most intense moments like that that I have ever had was when I became a Christian. [00:01:15]
I had gone to bed for the evening but I could not get to sleep and I tossed and I turned and my mind wouldn’t shut down and finally I had this overwhelming sense that I had to get up out of bed and get out of that dormitory. And I looked at the clock and it was 10 minutes to 12. Ten minutes before midnight. [00:02:28]
I walked into the narthex of this . . . of this chapel and when the door closed you could just hear it clang against the wall and the floor was stone. And I walked then into the sanctuary. Now I was in that chapel every day. We would have chapel – required chapel – every morning. [00:04:43]
And I got on my face, literally, in front of the communion table, and was overwhelmed by the presence of God. And my experience that night was not the same as my experience of my conversion to Christ but what happened to me that night that I will never get over was that I had this overwhelming experience of the presence of God the Father. [00:05:29]
Augustine said the only description that Scripture gives as to the how of creation is that it speaks about the power of God’s word. In the beginning when the worth . . . when the world was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep, the Scriptures say, that what changed all of that was a command from the mouth of God where God said, “Let there be . . . “ and instantly there was. [00:08:21]
The power that is unleashed when God speaks brings things out of nothing and life out of death. And I said, “That’s . . . that’s the character of God the Father.” Now that wasn’t the first time I had . . . had thought about that because the previous year at the time of my conversion – which I said happened in that same school and in that same room that I had moved out of that night – that when I became a Christian I was so turned upside down that I read the Bible through in two weeks. [00:10:00]
I can remember in that first two weeks of my Christian experience walking up and down the halls of the dormitory at three o’clock in the morning pacing like a caged lion because of what I had been reading in the Old Testament. Because even though I grew up in the United States of America and had frequented churches for social reasons and all the rest, I had never heard of this God that I was reading about in the Old Testament. [00:11:07]
Jesus makes reference to it in the New Testament when Nathaniel meets Jesus for the first time and Jesus sees Nathaniel coming and he looks at him and He says, “Behold an Israelite in whom there is no deceit, no guile.” Nathaniel said “Wait a minute. How do you know anything about me? I’ve never met you before.” [00:16:59]
Jesus says to Nathaniel . . . He’s saying, “Hey, Nathaniel! You read that story in the Old Testament about Jacob where Jacob had this ladder that bridged the gap between heaven and earth, between the transcendent realm – the holy place of God – and this place here of dirt and of dust. That we don’t seem to be able to make a connection between heaven and earth?” He said, “I am that ladder. I am the bridge between heaven and earth.” [00:17:44]
I cannot remember a single time in my whole life where I was more acutely aware of the absence of God than that. I no more felt like preaching than flying. And everything was flat to me. It just wasn’t cutting it. In fact, when I was finished I wanted to find a hole in the ground where I could jump in it and pull it in after me, and the last thing I wanted to do at the end of the service was go to the back of the church and shake these people’s hands because I had this overwhelming sense that I had completely let them down. [00:20:47]
Two things: From that day forward I said, “I’m never in the rest of my life going to depend and rely upon my feelings to determine whether God was present. Rather, I’m going to trust that God says He will be with us, He says He will be with me, He promises He won’t leave me, He promises He’ll be there when I need Him, even if it’s in the valley of the shadow of death. And it doesn’t matter if I feel Him.” [00:22:01]