“The Lord our God hath shewed us his glory.”
— Deuteronomy 5:24

God’s great design in all his works is the manifestation of his own
glory. Any aim less than this were unworthy of himself. But how shall
the glory of God be manifested to such fallen creatures as we are?
Man’s eye is not single, he has ever a side glance towards his own
honour, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not
qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear, then, that self
must stand out of the way, that there may be room for God to be
exalted; and this is the reason why he bringeth his people ofttimes
into straits and difficulties, that, being made conscious of their own
folly and weakness, they may be fitted to behold the majesty of God
when he comes forth to work their deliverance. He whose life is one
even and smooth path, will see but little of the glory of the Lord, for
he has few occasions of self-emptying, and hence, but little fitness
for being filled with the revelation of God. They who navigate little
streams and shallow creeks, know but little of the God of tempests; but
they who “do business in great waters,” these see his “wonders in the
deep.” Among the huge Atlantic-waves of bereavement, poverty,
temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we
feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if you have been led by a
rough road: it is this which has given you your experience of God’s
greatness and lovingkindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a
wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: your trials have
been the cleft of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as he did his
servant Moses, that you might behold his glory as it passed by. Praise
God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance which
continued prosperity might have involved, but that in the great fight
of affliction, you have been capacitated for the outshinings of his
glory in his wonderful dealings with you.

On this day...

• Matthew 12:20 - 2011
• The Major Decision - 2011
• Psalms 97:1 - 2008
• Genesis 9:15 - 2008