“I was reading in Luke’s gospel the other day,” Stan commented, “and I saw a simple statement that has a profound impact on my faith and faith walk.”
“Simple to profound,” I replied, “What were you looking at?”
“It was the story of the healing of a paralyzed man whose friends brought him before Jesus,” Stan said.
“Is that the one where the guy’s friends lowered him down through the roof because the room was so crowded?”
“That’s it,” Stan replied.
“That’s a great testimony of friends showing true friendship,” I commented.
“You’re right,” Stan said, “but that’s another story for another day. Right now let’s focus on what the crowd did after seeing the healing, and what it means to me.”
“Okay,” I responded, “what’s that?”
“In a single verse,” Stan said, “Luke writes that the crowd was astonished and began glorifying God, saying that they had seen some remarkable things.”
“So?” I replied. “What’s that have to do with you?”
“Before I can be astonished and glorify God for what He’s done,” Stan said, “I have to see what it is that He has done. I can’t be astonished and I can’t glorify Him unless I know. Seems to me it’s the same with all of us.”
“That could be,” I replied. “And maybe that’s why so few people are astonished with God and what He’s doing, along with why so few people glorify God for what He’s done. Maybe they just don’t see.”
“Yeah,” Stan said, “you could be right. And maybe too many of us who do see what God has done don’t glorify Him in ways that help others to see. Just saying ‘Maybe’!”
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Bible verses to consider:
And they were all seized with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Luke 5:26.
But when the multitudes saw this, they were filled with awe, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Matthew 9:8.
But blessed are your eyes, because they see. Matthew 13:16.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the great things you have done, things you want me to see so I will glorify you. I confess that too often I don’t see what you have done and, therefore, I do not glorify you. Also, too often I do see, but I don’t glorify you so that others may see you. Please forgive me. Help me follow every step of your lead so I do, in fact, see all you have done, and then take the next step of glorifying you for what you have done. Help me to glorify you in ways so that the unbelieving world is open to seeing you and what you have done, what you are doing, and what you want to do in and for them. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you seen what God has done for your eternal salvation in the sense that you have accepted the finished work of Jesus’ cross? If no, why? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with seeing what God is doing, being astonished by it, and glorifying Him for all He has done, is doing, and wants to do in and through you? Do you believe that how you glorify God can make a difference with others who may not see what God is doing? If you sense the need for change in how you see what God is doing, how you are astonished by it, and how you glorify Him for it, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 