"Thou Shouldest See The Glory Of God"

John 11:40

Don Fortner

 

     Our Lord tells us plainly that, if we would believe, we would see the glory of God. Just in proportion as we believe the Lord Jesus Christ we will see the glory of God in all things.

 

l.  FAITH SEES THE GLORY OF GOD IN SALVATION BY CHRIST OUR SUBSTITUTE (Ex.33:18-23; 34:5-7). The glory of God can be seen only by those who are standing upon the mount of sacrifice, looking through the blood of Christ, slain upon the cursed tree to make atonement for sin (Rom.3:24-26). In the cross of Christ, in his death as the sinner's Substitute, the glory of God is revealed. There, only there, "mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psa.85:10). The glory of God shines forth most brilliantly in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ because there all the glorious attributes of God are plainly revealed: His Sovereignty and His Grace, His Righteousness and His Goodness, His Inflexible Justice and His Pardoning Mercy, His Unmitigated Wrath and His Everlasting Love. If you believe, you will see the glory of God in the sacrifice of his Son. If you believe not, you never can. Reason may see the doctrine of the cross. But only faith can see the glory of the cross. Only faith can see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

2.  FAITH SEES THE GLORY OF GOD IN HIS WISE AND GOOD PROVIDENCE (Rom.8:28; 11:36). If Martha had only believed, she would have seen the glory of God in Lazarus' sickness and death, as well as in his resurrection. Child of God, trust your Lord. If you do but trust him, you will see the glory of God in all that he has done, is doing, and shall hereafter do. But if you do not trust him, you will not see his glory in the works he performs on your behalf.

 

3.  FAITH SEES GOD WORKING AND SEES HIS GLORY IN HIS WORK (Mk.9:23-24).The hand of God is not prevented from working in our midst by our unworthiness, or by the multitude of our sins, or by our inabilities, but only by our unbelief. What wonders God might perform among us, in us, with us and for us, if we would only believe him! The widow's barrell of meal was supplied each day, because believing God she went to the empty barrell and reached in the hand of faith as God commanded her. And everytime she did, she saw the glory of God.