Knowing God: Experience & Love Him

Reflection on God's Exalted Ways

Humbly living to bring Him glory

Paul J. Bucknell

Exalted God & Video | Meaning of Exalted | Ways to Exalt | Reflection on His Exaltated Ways

The Exalted God: Handout pdf | Video
Audio, reading and powerpoint part of D3 library

Knowing God Series Index

Series Introduction| Knowing God | The Revelatory God | Goodness of God | Holiness of God | Power of God | Omnipresent God | Exalted God | Faithfuness of God | Wisdom of God | Mercy of God | Wrath of God | Love of God | Sovereignty of God | Providence of God

Purpose: Although it might appear God's exalted person and ways makes Him less relevant to our lives, this is far from the truth. Knowing God is the most relevant aspect of our lives here on earth–not just in heaven. Read on!

If your life is boring

Living in light of God’s glory is never boring or repetitive. The problem of any spiritual dullness is due to not being able to sufficiently comprehend God’s glory and is compounded by our resistance to live in conformity to His person. We are blinded to His glory and so tend to focus on our desires rather than His glory.

If the sun is hidden by the clouds, it is not due to its absence but our blindness. Take an adventure. Begin to get serious about living for God’s glory. The clouds will readily depart as you purpose to focus on His person and pleasure. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8).

• Take an adventure. Begin to get serious about living for God’s glory.

• Tell Him you want to live for His glory.

• Readily follow the steps that He shows you.

• Be completely obedient–that is where you will be tested and allegiance is gained.

• When you sin, confess it, hide in the blood of Christ, but keep focused.

• Keep a journal and share with another what God is teaching you.

Bringing God glory

How can we as believers step into our calling to bring glory to God? Several things need to be kept in mind.

The most important point, perhaps, is that we keep our greater purpose in life clear in mind. We all have our clear assignments–being a bank teller, wife, dad, nursery worker, etc. There is no end to the many assignments that we have in life. They blend with each other. But behind this, is the greater purpose for which we do these things.

We live to exalt God

We accomplish this by remembering why we do these things. We are men and women of integrity–how we do things must glorify God as much as the end purpose. This calls us not only to be faithful carrying out our tasks but to excel in what we do–for Him (not for higher salary, personal recognition, etc.).

The nurse remembers God has appointed her to not only to carry out her hard shift work but to remember she represents God Himself. She does her best to reflect God's amazing person and purpose. I once worked in a Hebrew library at a university. One could do an average job or an excellent job of categorizing and placing books. Probably no one would ever look for these books, many in Yiddish!

We are similarly reminded by the great artists that they would do their work in such a way that even the hidden sides (hidden from our sight) are also done with wonderful skill. They knew God would see it and wanted to glorify Him through all things.

Our secret life

Please note that what we do in secret is perhaps more important, than what we do in the open. Why? Because our private conduct and thoughts reveal what we love and hate. God is watching what we do in secret because these things best reflect our motives.

If our worship time is dull, it is not because of God or His Word, but because we cannot sufficiently grasp God’s greatness. Doubts have corrupted our view. Those who grow up in churches must break through this religious veneer if they would be spiritually reborn.

If we could but partially see God in His glory, even from the back as Moses, our lives would be vastly changed. This was the great fear associated with meeting God in the Bible. The high priest would wear bells and a rope on him as he entered into God’s presence. The bells let everyone know he was still moving. The rope was to pull him out if not.

Humility and knowing the Exalted God

Both Moses along with Jesus had mountain top experiences where they saw God’s glory. How does Numbers 12:3 give us insight into what is needed to know God’s glorious person? “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). Why is humility so important in grasping God’s glory?

Our assignment

• God is glorious and demands all peoples, creatures and creation to reflect that glory back to His great and exalted person. All that we have comes from Him but for His ultimate purposes.

• Think about how much of your life is centered on bringing God glory. Repent as needed.

• Reflect the ways you have ‘seen’ or experienced God’s exalted person. Write down the details associated with each experience.

• Search your heart to see if you desire to know more of God’s glorious person. Reflect on your answer and pray as appropriate.

• List any ways that you steal glory from God to yourself. This happens when we accept or seek the applause of man without giving God His due glory through the way He has enabled us to accomplish what we have done.

“‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.’ And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.’” (Revelation 5:12-13 NASB).

This ends the study, but BFF offers many free resources to further explore the glory of God!

• Continue on with another part of Knowing God: Experience and Love Him. Knowing God Main index

• See other articles on the glory of God below or click here.

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Biblical Foundations for Freedom ( BFF )

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell