Glory is a wonderful word. Because it partakes of the infinite, glory seems to evade definition. Yet each one of us can behold and feel the glory of the Lord even when he cannot describe it. As did the shepherds of Judea on that momentous night nineteen centuries ago, so may we glimpse that same divine glory today. When it appears, some may at first be sore afraid, as were the shepherd folk, but all may be inspired to search for the Christ, that they may come to understand spiritual truth more fully. To gain even an inkling of what divine glory can mean is to enlarge one's capacity for spiritual healing, for joyous and effective living. Therefore this writing has to do with divine glory.
It is helpful to ponder some of the meanings we give to the word glory. One dictionary, after recording a material description, goes on to note that glory is "the beauty and splendor of the divine nature." Another broadens the view to include "the majesty and splendor attendant upon a manifestation of God." M. R. Vincent, commenting on the translation of important Greek words in the New Testament, indicates that the Greek word sometimes translated "glory" in the ancient writings means "not merely divine brightness, but the presence of the God of Glory Himself." These observations show that it is wise, in considering the things of Spirit, to drop any sense of glory as a material, earthly, or personal attribute. The Apostle Paul twice reminded his Corinthian brethren (I Cor. 1:31, II Cor. 10:17), "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
Divine glory brings into prayer the healing touch of unselfed love. The blessed Master, confronted by the supreme challenge of his career, foresaw that there awaited him betrayal, capture, trial, mockery, crucifixion, death, and then absolute victory over all evil. He prayed (John 17: 5), "Now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." And this prayer was gloriously answered.
