When everything else fades, God’s splendour shines brightest. God demonstrates His ability to clearly reveal Himself in every season of our lives, even the painful ones.
In these times, God’s presence is most evident. Even in the darkest, most lonely, and broken times of personal trial and weakness, God’s splendour becomes visible.
His magnificence and grandeur,
patience and love,
wisdom and strength,
richness, glory, and beauty
are clearly displayed through frailty.
As Christians, the lives we live are not for ourselves, but rather for Him and for others.
Before Birth
“Listen to me, you islands;
hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the LORD called me;
from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.”
Isaiah 49:1
Before I saw, knew, reverenced, or honoured God, long before disobedience, failure and rebellion entered the picture, God knew me and had a plan for my life — a good plan. The same is true for every single one of us. How can we define such watchful care, other than absolutely amazing?
My dual name came from both of my grandmothers: Mary and Ann. To carry their names is a true honour.
Grandma Mary’s stature didn’t reach five feet, but none dare challenge her! Familiar with hard times, she raised her family, managed a farm, wore a wide smile, and always found room at her table for others despite her own need.
Grandma Ann passed away from cancer far too young. Her siblings told me about her hard work ethic, devotion to God, perseverance, tenacity, and deep love for others.
My parents were determined that I carry both names equally, foregoing any need for a middle name. I am thankful! In some ways, my name has been prophetic! “Mary” means “bitter”; “Ann” means “grace”.
Like most other people, I have seen hardship that could have easily turned into bitterness. Yet my life continues to be marked with God’s passionate grace.
In fact, God’s grace is having the final say in multiple ways. I am but one small example.
Be assured! God has spoken your name just as clearly as Isaiah’s. He writes His “grace” over every portion of your life as well.
A Sharpened Sword for His Splendour
“He made my mouth like a sharpened sword…”
Isaiah 49:2
Have you ever watched a blade being sharpened? It takes something abrasive to sharpen a good knife, axe, or sword. A sharp edge makes these tools suitable for their task. Many times, I have witnessed a blade edge being placed against the grinding wheel. A blaze of flashing hot sparks fly as rough edges become smooth.
The painful seasons, we all wish to avoid, sharpen us for greater purposes. God uses the struggling, “how much longer”, barely enduring times to prepare us. Here hearts change! On the other side of these difficulties, proclamation of His goodness rises. In brokenness and surrender, we look up discovering God is present.
“…in the shadow of His hand He hid me.”
The darkest shadow is always the closest to any object. When it seems like God is the farthest away, the opposite is actually true. “In the shadow”, we find unparalleled revelation of His glory. “In the shadow”, God demonstrates how closely His hand covers and protects.
Hidden “in the shadow” of His mighty hand fears dissipate and insecurities melt away. “In the shadow” is safety! God is present “in the shadow” — intimately present!
A Polished Arrow
As children, my older brother and I would fashion our own bows and arrows from fresh cut willow sticks and remnants of used baler twine. Nothing high calibre in our childhood play!
God does things differently!
God calls us His arrows. He makes us with precision, taking time to design each one of us from His best stalk! The perfect feathers with the finest point! When He has formed us to perfection, He conceals us!
What? Conceal us?
“…he made me into a polished arrow
and concealed me in his quiver.”
Isaiah 49:2
You would think after all His hard work He would be ready to show us off, put us into action, launch us into ministry, or in some way display His immaculate workmanship. Nope!
Now perfectly ready, He puts us into His quiver. It is God, our Maker, who determines when He will take us out, how He will set us in the bow, what direction He will send us, and the distance He will propel us.
It is our responsibility to rest, waiting patiently for His timing and direction.
A Servant for His Splendour
Quiver waiting isn’t idle! Quiver waiters serve in the midst of waiting.
“A single day in your courts is better
than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper
in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.”
Psalm 84:10
David, the author of this psalm, caught the vision! He lived many places during his lifetime: in the tent of his father, on the countryside among sheep, in caves running from the enemy, on the battlefield, and in a king’s palace. Yet he said, “The best place of all is with God, serving Him and His people.”
Why? So God gets the glory — the splendour!
In our simplest offering of service, whatever that is, others must see the greatness, glory, and splendour of our God. If people only see us, we are blocking their view of the Magnificent One!
“He said to me,
“You are my servant, Israel,
in whom I will display my splendour.”
Isaiah 49:3
In our weakness, He shows His strength. Out of our poverty flows His abundance. In our brokenness, His tender compassion rises. God reveals His greatness in our littleness. As we willingly surrender to His call, God displays His splendour and majesty, glory and beauty, magnificence, and brilliance.
“I pray you learn to know and trust your God now.
Say “God I am willing that You should make me willing.”
If there is anything holding you back,
or any sacrifice you are afraid of making,
come to God now, and prove how gracious your God is.”
– Andrew Murray
Surrender doesn’t come naturally! Yielded in the hand of the Author of life, surrendered to His movement, defies stubborn self-will.
“Lord, I am willing, make me willing!”
For God’s Splendour
As we recognize God’s watch over our lives from eternity past to eternity future, we can come to no other conclusion than He is good. Each one of our lives truly is marked by His grace.
Grace has the final word!
As we focus on God and surrender to His will and ways, we begin to demonstrate His power to use our little for His glory revealing His splendour to those around us.
We each have a story uniquely written. Humbly and willingly share yours at every opportunity. Let us live to display His splendour!
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