I am currently working on upgrading our church computer system which stores all our church files, the “file server.” While I do have an advantage as a computer guy, much has changed since our last upgrade 16 years ago. I have been surprised by how much I don’t know about our new server software. Let’s just say that I am working through the struggle to get it all figured out. I am sure that you have experienced something similar in your life whether it’s programing a microwave, connecting to Wi-Fi or even getting your phone to do what you want it do. The same thing happens when it comes to understanding our Creator. We realize we are in over our heads!
I have been wrestling with how to understand the glory of God. A couple of years ago this came to the forefront of my thinking while preaching through Revelation. For years one of the sections I found perplexing was Revelation 4-5. (Let me encourage you to take a moment to read it.) For example, one verse reads: “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”” (Revelation 4:8). If you continue to read the passage you will notice that whenever the four living creatures glorify God, the 24 elders surrounding the throne bow down and respond; “They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”” (Revelation 4:10c–11).
My struggle with this passage was envisioning a heaven that is a 24-hours-a-day, for eternity, church service repeating choruses to my God. Let’s say it did not sound very appealing. The barrier in my life was I had a weak understanding of the glory of God. It was while meditating on these truths that it hit me. All the created beings in heaven knew something that I had missed: how glorious God really is. All the beings in heaven are voluntarily worshiping the Lord 24 hours a day because they have experienced a greater degree of God’s glory than you or I could even imagine.
This week I was reminded of this truth reading from Luke’s Gospel account, Luke 19:38-40. We find the religious leaders missing the significance of Jesus’ triumphal entry as the Son of David, the promised Messiah. They criticized Jesus for allowing his followers to acknowledge him as King. His followers were “saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”” (Luke 19:38).
It was Jesus’ response to his critics that hit me like a ton of bricks dropped off a skyscraper. “He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”” (Luke 19:40). Our God is so awesome and glorious that if created beings fail to glorify God, the inanimate creation will break forth in spontaneous praise!
This epiphany has changed me and my way of thinking about almost everything. When we realize that we are the prized possession of such an awesome God, it gives us strength, hope and courage for whatever comes across our path.
I will figure out the specifics to get our new server online. But I will never fully understand the glory of my God. Let me encourage you to join me in the struggle to grasp the greatness of our Savior! And let our voices cry out for the world to hear!
-Pastor Joe Parkinson