ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

Undeniable Proof That God is Real

Romans 9:4c

...theirs the divine glory...

The word used by Paul for "glory" is the Hebrew word "kabowd". Kabowd (glory) is the same word used in Exodus to describe the cloud which covered and protected the Israelites from the sun as they traveled by day through the desert (Exodus 16:10: "While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.") The glory of the Lord was also in the pillar of fire which led them by night (Exodus 13:21: By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.)

Later, the Lord's glory filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34: Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.);

And it was this same glory of the Lord filling the temple that Solomon built. (2 Chronicles 7:1 "When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.")

Kabowd is the glory of the Lord, and is the tangible, visible evidence of the existence of God. It is what people want most. The Israelites experienced it first-hand: They had undeniable proof that God is real.

The Israelites had in their presence the one thing for which every man throughout history has searched -- something substantial, something personal -- proof that God is real. John 20:27-28: "Then he [Jesus] said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.' Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'" And such is our response when our Lord moves from the pages of the Bible into our hearts and lives. When He becomes more than just the subject of an entertaining story, or good advice. Is God real for you? Have you experienced the "kabowd" (glory) of the Lord? Jesus Christ is both real and personal. It's reflected in Thomas' response to the resurrected Christ: My Lord, my God. Jesus says to each of us (as He did to Thomas two thousand years ago): "Reach out your hand, touch me, feel me, stop doubting, and BELIEVE! I am the glory of the Lord."

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