Created for God's Glory

Can you imagine? We are created “for God’s Glory!”  What an awesome thought ... that God made us so that His Glory might be manifested! 

Isaiah 43:5-7 tells us that God is gathering His children from the four corners of the earth “for His Glory.”  Read it with me,

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west.
⁶ I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
    and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

Everyone who is called by My name,
 whom I created for My glory, (emphasis mine)
whom I formed and made.”

Yes, this is speaking directly to the Israelites, but don’t forget that we who have Jesus as our Savior have been adopted into God’s family (John 1:12).  So, I feel privileged to claim this promise from God.

1 Corinthians 2:5-10 reads,
"We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. (emphasis mine)

Did you get that, in Christ, our eyes have been opened ... our ears have been cleared ... our minds have been given the privilege to conceive the glory of God!  Wow!

 

If this is true then, why do we have so much trouble relating to God?  Why do we struggle with this awesome concept of God's Glory?  We are His ... Jesus made us so when we placed our faith and trust in Him ... we should be able "to know Him and believe Him."  I mean to really know Him and really believe Him.  Then why is it such a struggle? 

 

A lot of Christian ladies have studied this with Beth Moore and she says that we have such a struggle because there are barriers which we have created in our lives which hinder us.  As Christians, we have "strongholds" which make us blind, deaf and dumb to glory of God and only a renewal of spirit will correct this. 

 

Years ago, Chuck Swindoll told the story of a traveler who came upon a huge boulder in his path that literally blocked his way forward.  The traveler had three choices: 1) turn around and go back; 2) find another route around the boulder; or, 3) take the time to chip away at the boulder until it would crack and crumble making the way clear for the traveler.  With the first two choices, the boulder would still be there.  Dr. Swindoll said that there was but one right choice for the traveler.

And, there is but one right choice for the Christian who, in travelling through this life, is hindered by some spiritual stronghold ... destroy it!

 

OK ... so why do we still struggle.  Its because we don't take hold of the power of the Holy Spirit to destroy those strongholds. There is but one power which we have been given which is capable of destroying the strongholds.  It is the Holy Spirit, very God, who resides in every believer and He is waiting patiently for us to ask. 

 

Personally, I have struggled with several strongholds for so many years that I am worn out.  I have given them over to God, but then when faced with the reality of a very difficult task of removal, I take them back.  Sounds pretty stupid, but that's a fact.  After 70+ years of life, I am weary of this struggle and at my wit's end.  I am ready to turn it all over to God.

 

I want to see God ... I want to see Him high and lifted up.  I want Him to send an angel from His throne with a hot coal to sear my lying lips.  I want Him to remove all those thoughts which keep me captive.  I want Him to surgically open my heart and remove all the drab and dross, every sin which hinders me from reaching that glorious calling for which He has created for me.

 

I have been challenged in my heart to "go all the way" with God.  It seems to me that the day has come where many followers of Christ around the world are on a fast track to be all that God wants them to be.  The hour of decision is upon us and we are challenged by God to trust Him, to allow Him to remove all the barriers which keep us down.  Satan wants nothing more than to laugh at you and me for our failure.  However, God is greater than all our failures ... in Christ we have defeated Satan.

 

Would you join me on a new journey of "boulder busting" and let Satan know that "we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us." (Romans 8:37)

 

Let me pray for each of us:  Holy and glorious Father, I come to You as the almighty God; the eternal One who, by Your grace and mercy, has saved us through Your magnificent Son, Jesus.  Father, I pray not only for myself but for all who read these words and have decided to join me in this quest of fulfilling our calling by being all that you have created us to be.

Holy Spirit, move in our lives in power as we submit each and every stronghold and every barrier which has prevented us from striving to be those who reveal Your glory.  Help us to walk with You in paths which will both honor our God and restore our faith, once delivered to us.

May this all be to the glory and honor of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Savior, Amen!