The Shekineh Glory (1 Peter 4:14)

SPIRITUAL DIARY

                                                                                                Date:  02-11-04

My Worship Time                                          Focus: The Shekineh Glory

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  1Peter 4:14

            Message of the verse:  “14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”  (NASB95)  “14 Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you.”  “14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”  (NKJV)

            The NASB does not include the last portion of this verse, but the NKJV does include it and that is why I included it.  Peter is saying in this verse that if we suffer for the cause of Christ then the glory of God will rest upon us.  The Shekinah glory was the glory of the Lord that filled the Tabernacle and then the Jewish Temple.  This glory fell upon the mountain where Moses spoke to God, and it is this glory that will be given to the believers who suffer for the cause of Christ.  Stephen saw this glory when he was being stoned for the cause of Christ. 

            When a believer suffers for the cause of Christ he brings glory to the name of Jesus Christ, but the one who is doing the persecution is blaspheming the name of the Lord.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today: This section assures me that God is in control of all things, and that He does not need my help, but my obedience to what He is leading me to do.  I know that there are times when I get in the way of God and what He is doing, and this shows my lack of patience.  Just as God will give us a glimpse of His Glory when we suffer for Him, and will do it in the exact time needed, so God will always give us what we need each day of our lives.

The Word of God has been challenging to my heart as I read it this morning.

My Steps of Faith Today:  Trust in the Lord with all my heart and don’t lean upon my own understanding, in all my ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct my path.

Memory verse for the week:  Ephesians 2:8,9

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.