“Lord, show us Your glory.” This plea, first uttered by Moses, echoes through the hearts of every believer who longs to see God more clearly, more intimately, more gloriously. Throughout Scripture, men and women were granted glimpses of God’s glory—a radiant revelation of His presence, power, and purity. And in every instance, their lives were never the same.
Moses – A Face That Shone
Exodus 33:18-20 – “Please show me your glory.”
God responded to Moses’ bold request by hiding him in the cleft of the rock and letting His goodness pass by. Moses could not see God’s face and live, yet what he did see caused his own face to shine (Exodus 34:29). The glory of God became visible in Moses’ countenance. He became a living reflection of the God he encountered.
Israel at Mount Sinai – A Nation Trembles
Exodus 24:16-17 – “The glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire.”
When God descended upon Mount Sinai, the people saw fire, heard thunder, and felt the earth quake. They were filled with fear and awe, begging Moses to speak with God on their behalf. The glory of God revealed the seriousness of sin and the holiness of His presence.
Isaiah – “Woe is Me!”
Isaiah 6:1-5 – “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.”
Isaiah saw God on His throne and was overwhelmed by his own sinfulness. His response: “Woe is me!” He was cleansed, called, and commissioned in a single moment of glory. From that moment, he became a prophet to the nations, never forgetting the God he saw.
Ezekiel – The Glory That Departs
Ezekiel 1:26-28 – “The appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.”
In stunning detail, Ezekiel saw visions of God’s glory—a radiant figure on a throne, encircled by light. Later, in Ezekiel 10, he witnessed the glory departing from the temple due to Israel’s rebellion. It was a sorrowful picture, but a reminder that God’s presence cannot dwell with unrepentant sin.
Solomon and the Priests – The Temple Filled
1 Kings 8:10-11 – “The glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.”
At the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the glory of God so filled the space that the priests could not even stand to minister. It was a moment of divine affirmation, confirming that God was pleased to dwell among His people.
The Shepherds – The Night Heaven Shined
Luke 2:9 – “The glory of the Lord shone around them.”
On the night of Christ’s birth, ordinary shepherds were surrounded by extraordinary glory. Heaven burst into their ordinary night, and they became the first evangelists of the gospel. One moment in God’s glory changed their message forever.
Peter, James, and John – Transfiguration
Matthew 17:2 – “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.”
Jesus was transfigured before the eyes of His closest disciples. They saw His divine glory unveiled, along with Moses and Elijah. It was a moment of awe and confirmation. Peter would later write of this moment as proof of Christ’s majesty (2 Peter 1:16-18).
Stephen – Glory in the Face of Death
Acts 7:55-56 – “He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”
As Stephen was being martyred, heaven opened. He saw the glory of God and Jesus standing—not seated—at the right hand of the Father, ready to receive His faithful servant. Stephen died in peace, full of glory and forgiveness.
Paul – Blinded by the Light
Acts 9:3-5 – “A light from heaven flashed around him.”
Saul of Tarsus, once a persecutor, was transformed by a sudden flash of divine glory on the road to Damascus. That encounter left him physically blind but spiritually awakened. Later, he would write about being caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2–4).
John – Glory on the Throne
Revelation 1:12-17 – “His face was like the sun shining in full strength.”
The aged apostle John saw the glorified Christ—eyes like fire, voice like rushing waters, holding stars in His hands. In Revelation 4–5, John saw the throne of God, surrounded by worship, thunder, and brilliance. It was a preview of eternal glory.
Glory’s Impact: What Happens When We See Him
- We are humbled – like Isaiah and Moses, we see our own smallness and sin.
- We are cleansed – conviction leads to transformation.
- We are called – like Isaiah, we are sent out with purpose.
- We are comforted – like Stephen, even in suffering, we see Jesus standing with us.
- We are changed – like Paul, we become new creations.
Lord, Show Us Your Glory
God’s glory is not a distant reality—it is a present promise. In Christ, we behold the fullness of God’s glory (John 1:14). And we are being transformed by it “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Have you glimpsed His glory? Has your heart been stirred? Has your life been changed? Seek His face. Open His Word. Stand in awe. And like Isaiah, say, “Here am I. Send me.”
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All scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV).