“‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.’”
Isaiah 6:5
The angel appeared in glory, and the shepherds were terrified. Remember how the Lord told Moses he couldn’t see His face and live (Exodus 33:18-20). And look at today’s passage telling how Isaiah felt ruined after having just a vision of the Lord’s glory. When Jesus glowed with light on the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter fell on his face, convicted of what a sinful man he was (Matthew 17:5-6). God’s glory is powerful!
What is really amazing is that God’s people who see it—be it revealed through angels or directly—live to tell about it. Though terrifying, it does not destroy them. It could, but that is not God’s purpose. He reveals Himself to His people in loving mercy.
The Lord is so much bigger, better, purer, lighter, and more righteous than we are. His glory accentuates our smallness, our failures, our corruption, our darkness, and our sin. God’s glory shows not only who He is, but also who we are—with every wicked, unkind, selfish, rebellious thought and act. God’s glory highlights our desperate need for Him.
What is really amazing is that God’s people who see it—be it revealed through angels or directly—live to tell about it. Though terrifying, it does not destroy them. It could, but that is not God’s purpose. He reveals Himself to His people in loving mercy.
The Lord is so much bigger, better, purer, lighter, and more righteous than we are. His glory accentuates our smallness, our failures, our corruption, our darkness, and our sin. God’s glory shows not only who He is, but also who we are—with every wicked, unkind, selfish, rebellious thought and act. God’s glory highlights our desperate need for Him.
Scripture Focus
Luke 2:8-14
Insight
“He did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory.” (Romans 9:23)
Bible In A Year
- Daniel 1-2
- Proverbs 5
- Hebrews 5-6
