How should the recognition of God's glory in Ezekiel 10:20 impact our worship? The Scene Ezekiel Witnessed “These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River, and I realized that they were cherubim.” (Ezekiel 10:20) Ezekiel is not describing legend or symbol; he is recording what he literally saw—the radiant glory of God borne by cherubim. That vision reorients everything about how we approach Him. What God’s Glory Tells Us About Him • Holiness—His set-apart purity burns brighter than any created light (Isaiah 6:3). • Sovereignty—The throne above the cherubim declares absolute rule (Psalm 99:1). • Nearness with Majesty—Though exalted, He reveals Himself to His servant by the riverbank (Exodus 40:34-35). Worship Shaped by Glory • Awe-filled Reverence – Come “with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). – Guard against casual, self-focused gatherings; let every element—prayer, music, preaching—point upward. • Humble Submission – Like Ezekiel, fall on our faces before the King (Ezekiel 1:28). – Yield plans, preferences, and timelines to the sovereign Lord. • Pursuit of Holiness – Present bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). – Confession and repentance should precede and permeate our worship services. • Truth-Anchored Expression – Worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). – Songs, prayers, and sermons must align with revealed Scripture, not trends. • Expectant Encounter – Gather anticipating that the same glorious God manifests His presence among His people (Matthew 18:20). – Cultivate silence and space to listen, not merely speak. Practical Ways to Reflect His Glory • Begin gatherings by reading a passage that exalts God’s character (e.g., Psalm 24:7-10). • Design corporate worship to move from adoration to confession, thanksgiving, and commitment, mirroring heavenly scenes (Revelation 4:8-11). • Encourage personal preparation on Saturday evening—prayer, Scripture reading, reconciliation with others. • Train worship teams to prioritize substance over performance; excellence serves glory, not ego. • Integrate testimonies of obedience, showing that beholding glory leads to transformed lives (1 Corinthians 14:25). Living Monday Through Saturday • Practice continual adoration—brief pauses during the day to acknowledge His presence (Psalm 29:2). • Let the vision of glory restrain sin and fuel courage in witness. • Remember that one day “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14); every act of worship now is rehearsal for eternity. |
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