As we observed in last week’s letter, when we live for God’s glory, our situation does not define us. We often allow our circumstances to dictate our joy and destiny. Yet, when we recognize and live for God’s glory, we understand that our circumstances are inconsequential. We don’t lose heart with our lot in life. Instead, we realize that the things of this world are temporal. Instead, we live for the eternal things of God. When we make decisions purely to advance our present comfort or perceived wants, we end up sadly disappointed. We ask these things to do something they were never intended to do. However, when we live for God’s glory, we can find fulfillment because the things of God never pass away.
So, Paul concludes 2 Corinthians 4 with the reminder that we do not lose heart in our circumstances. Instead, we look to the unseen things of eternity. Yet, looking at the unseen things of eternity instead of the visible things of life proves much more challenging in our day-to-day activities. As Paul begins 2 Corinthians 5, he acknowledges this struggle. He notes that in this tent (referring to our physical body and physical life), we groan because of our hardships and trials. This mortal life brings burdens hard to carry. Yet, when we focus on God and eternity, we can maintain courage (5:6). What is the reason for this courage? We walk by faith, not by sight. We do not live by what we see and experience but by faith in God.
How can we maintain this attention and faith in God in the middle of struggle and trial? When the water heater bursts and floods the house, it is hard to view eternity in that moment. When people we thought were our friends stab us in the back, it is hard to see eternity in that moment. When the doctor gives us the news that our loved one has a terminal disease, it is hard to see eternity in that moment. Yet, Paul confidently states that we can be (and indeed are) people of good courage in those moments. We must understand God’s glory to find fulfillment in bringing God glory and be of good courage while groaning in this life.
Perhaps no texts reveal the splendor and majesty of seeing God’s glory more than two pivotal texts in the Old Testament. God sent Moses to free Israel from slavery in Egypt. Through the striking signs and wonders of the plagues, God broke Pharaoh’s heart to free Israel. Yet, Pharaoh remained depraved and almost instantaneously regretted his decision. So, he pursued Israel to the edge of the Red Sea. Again, God miraculously freed Israel by parting the Red Sea so the nation could cross safely to the Arabian Peninsula. When the Egyptians attempted to follow, God closed the Red Sea, and the soldiers drowned.
Israel proceeded to trek towards the promised land until they arrived at Mt. Sinai. There, God met with Moses and gave him the Law for Israel to follow. In a stunning turn, while Moses met with God, the people of Israel turned from God and began to worship a golden calf. Only through Moses’ intercession did God spare the nation of Israel. Moses descended the mountain and confronted Israel for their rebellion. In retribution, God informed Israel that they could proceed to the promised land, but He would not go with them (Exodus 33:1-6). In response, Moses entered the Tabernacle to intercede for the people again. He implored God to remember His people and maintain his reputation by caring for them. Because of Moses’ obedience, God relented.
Yet, the problem of “stiff-necked” and rebellious people remained. Moses was tired of dealing with constant, ignorant criticism and rebellion. So he requested God. “Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory'” (Exodus 33:18). God granted the request and instructed Moses to return to the mountain. He would see God’s glory there and receive the commandments on the tablets again. Moses ascended Mt. Sinai the following day and received the commandments over the next forty days. While there, God revealed his glory to Moses.
The description of Moses when he descended Mt. Sinai after seeing God’s glory is astounding. He began to radiate the glory of God. Exodus 34:29-30 reveals that his skin shone to the extent no one wanted to come near him. The experience of seeing God’s glory was so majestic that the emotional and spiritual renewal he experienced was reflected through a supernatural glowing.
When we see God’s glory, it impacts every part of us. It changes every thought process, action, and even our physical being. Moses faced intense criticism and rebellion from Israel for the rest of His life. Yet, over the next forty years, he maintained his faith and trust in God because of the foundation on Mt. Sinai. Because Moses saw God’s glory, he lived for God’s glory. The trials he faced paled compared to the reality that he would live for eternity, reveling in God’s glory. Thus, Paul reminds us that the present light affliction is not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).
You can find fulfillment when you see and live for God’s glory. Next week, we will examine a second seminal passage in the Old Testament that helps us see and understand God’s majestic glory.