7 Portraits in Prayer, Day 11: Morning

Week 2, Radiant Prayer, Day 4: Reverence

(Read Exodus 33:18–23, Isaiah 60:1–5)

 

We have been discussing the “Radiance of Prayer” this week, but unless we literally glow in the dark, what exactly is this prayer radiance?

Glorifying Reverence: Isaiah 60 foretold of the day when we, because of the risen glory of the Lord within us, would shine to the world (ESV Translation):

¹ Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

² For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.

³ And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

⁴ Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.

⁵ Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

The Radiance of Prayer portrait shows that when we spend time with God, the Glory of God is revealed in our lives and even in our countenance. In response, we experience a holy reverence to God.

A Glorifying Righteousness leads to a Glorifying Reverence. Philippians 3:9 says, “not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” 

We are righteous only because God “credits” to us the righteousness of Christ (Romans 4:3–24). Through Christ’s payment, our spiritual bank account has of Christ’s righteousness.

This is not a “double-07” status of “licensed to sin.” However, if you are truly saved, truly forgiven, and truly have the Holy Spirit within you, such a realization of credited righteousness immediately places a desire to show extreme reverence to God. 

"Show me Your glory!"
Moses asked of God.

Today’s reading returns us to Exodus 33, where God balances the intimate relationship with Moses (“So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend…” Exodus 33:11a) with the glorifying reverence that God deserves (“‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.’” Exodus 33:20). 

If you think this is confusing, you are not alone. God wants a relationship, but He also demands reverence. Intimacy with God can lead to irreverence. Moses was so emboldened that he requested, “Please, show me Your glory,” but he could not see all of the glory of an infinite God.

Several places state that we will someday see more of God (Matthew 5:8, Revelation 5:1–7), but not in this lifetime. While we are still mortal, while we are yet finite, the closest we will come is knowing more about the Father and Son through the Holy Spirit, as revealed and affirmed in the Word of God. And personally, that’s enough for me.

 

Pray this prayer to God: “God, show me the balance of intimacy and reverence. Let me come boldly before You in reverence, respect, and awe. Help me to know when to make my requests to you, and when to say, ‘Thy Will be done.’ Amen.”

Click here to see Day 11, Evening.