The name “morning glory” is attributed to over 1,000 species of flowers that smile in full bloom as they soak in the warm, genial rays of their source of light at early dawn. These hardy plants are often spotted as voluntary vines that cannot but somehow cheer their surroundings—even when relegated to the status of weed.

In Old Testament Scripture, the Hebrew word most frequently translated as “glory” is kavod. The root meaning of this word refers to “heaviness (in weight),” as when the cloud covered the tabernacle and the glory of the Lord filled His house (Exodus 40:34, 35; 1 Kings 8:11; 2 Chronicles 5:14; 7:1, 2) or when Moses’ hands were heavy (Exodus 17:12). It also can refer to solemnity or weightiness in the figurative sense.

When we think of the “glory of the Lord”—a phrase used many times in Scripture, we are reminded of Moses at the burning bush or the majestic display at Mount Sinai revealing the presence of the Almighty. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, he was presented with a description of God’s character—that perfect blend of justice and mercy (Exodus 34:6, 7).

The dedication of the temple witnessed the glory of God, although the glorious presence was not always recognized by the nation in a literal sense. Those with spiritual discernment perceived when apostasy had driven it away—as shown when the daughter-in-law of Eli observed, “The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken” (1 Samuel 4:21, 22). Indeed, the privilege of enjoying the presence of God’s glory is waived when disregard of His precepts is rampant. See Ezekiel 10:18; 11:23; Hosea 10:5.

Other uses of the Hebrew word kavod can refer to wealth, reputation, or dignity (Genesis 31:1; 45:13; Proverbs 11:16; 26:1). Although the noun “shekinah” is not actually found in Scripture, the verb form of it, shachan, means to settle, continually habit, or dwell in the midst of a people. This was always the plan of God: That His glory—character—would glow as beautiful sunshine in the midst of His people. They in turn would be like cheerful morning glories continually beaming in the joy of His presence.

“From a race of slaves the Israelites were exalted above all peoples, to be the peculiar treasure of the King of kings. God separated them from the world, that He might commit to them a sacred trust. He chose them as depositaries of priceless treasures of truth. He purposed, through them, to preserve among men a knowledge of Himself. Thus the light of heaven was to shine out to a world enshrouded in darkness, and a voice was to be heard appealing to all peoples to turn from their idolatry to serve the living God. . . .

“God desired to make His people Israel a praise and a glory. In obedience to His law they would find their wisdom and understanding. He told them that the keeping of His commandments would bring to them an elevation of life and character that even the heathen world would recognize and commend. . . .

“[But] the Israelites placed their own mold and superscription upon the truths entrusted to them. Their minds were quickened into activity by selfish ambition. Inspiring them with a power from beneath, Satan infused their minds with subtle sentiments derogatory to God’s character. . . . The religious leaders, laying great stress on their own opinions, and teaching for doctrine the commandments of men, filled the minds of the people with theories and doctrines that were contrary to the law of God.”1

Moses had clearly explained to the Israelite nation: “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” (Deuteronomy 4:5–8, emphasis added).

The Greek word often translated as “glory” is doxazo, which conveys a sense of brilliance, or radiance. In Matthew 6:29 we read of “Solomon in all his glory” and of “all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them” (Matthew 4:8), as well as when the angels announced the birth of Jesus, and when He was transfigured (Luke 2:9; Matthew 17:2). God is the source of all glory. To glorify Him requires that we truly do justice to the reality of who He is. The greatest illustration that we can fathom of what God’s glory really means is exemplified in the life of Jesus when He lived as the Son of man on earth:

“The Commander of all heaven, laying aside His glory, His kingly crown, His royal robe, came to our world, His divinity clothed with humanity, that in His humanity He might touch humanity.

“As a Teacher sent from God, Christ’s work was to explain the true significance of the laws of God’s government. His work was important; for He sought to present truth in contrast to the many false theories so destructive to the salvation of all who entertained them. He came, not to abrogate the law, but to be in His life a correct expositor of the character of God, which the law revealed. To remove the confusion of opinion existing everywhere concerning the meaning of the law, He Himself lived the law in its purity.

“Christ came as One able to expound the law of God, so long misunderstood and misinterpreted by priests and leaders. He tore away the gloomy framework of error and doubt, tradition and superstition, with which men had surrounded truth and obscured its brightness. Resetting the jewels of truth in the framework of God’s law, He caused them to shine in their original, heavenly luster. He taught a religion entirely different from the religion taught by the Pharisees. He showed that true happiness springs from purity of heart. True religion is not a mere theory; it affects the heart and is expressed in the life by good works.

“If the Jewish nation had received the Teacher sent from God, they would have given up the traditions and maxims handed down from rabbi to rabbi, and accumulating from age to age. If they had hidden God’s law in their hearts, if they had given due respect to its sacred principles, it would have exerted a corrective influence on the entire life, and would have remodeled their selfish, avaricious dispositions after the character of God. But instead of following the Great Teacher, they chose to follow their own way. By sinful indulgence they expelled from the heart the love of God and the love of the principles of His holy law. The love of the world filled their hearts, prompting them to disobey. . . .

“In all ages those who have rendered obedience to God have been transformed in character; and in these last days, when iniquity abounds on every hand, our wisdom and understanding before all people will consist in our obedience to the standard of righteousness. The favor of God is promised only to those who obey. ‘If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love,’ the Master declares (John 15:10). Not in great talents, not in great possessions, not in grand appearance, but in humble service to our Maker, is our strength, wisdom, and understanding.”2

The servant of the Lord provides an interesting contrast to warn against something else that is not glory: “Some [fanatics after 1844] would dance up and down, singing, ‘Glory, glory, glory, glory, glory, glory.’ Sometimes I would sit still until they got through, and then I would rise and say, ‘This is not the way the Lord works. He does not make impressions in this way. We must direct the minds of the people to the Word as the foundation of our faith.’

“I was but a mere child at that time, and yet I had to bear my testimony repeatedly against these strange workings. And ever since that time I have sought to be very, very careful lest something of this sort should come in again among our people. Any manifestation of fanaticism takes the mind away from the evidence of truth—the Word itself.

“You might take a consistent course, but those who would be influenced by you might take a very inconsistent course, and, as a result, we should very soon have our hands full of something that would make it almost impossible to give unbelievers the right impression of our message and work. We must go to the people with the solid Word of God; and when they receive that Word, the Holy Spirit may come, but it always comes, as I have stated before, in a way that commends itself to the judgment of the people. In our speaking, our singing, and in all our spiritual exercises, we are to reveal that calmness and dignity and godly fear that actuates every true child of God.”3

The call now echoes forth to each one of us today: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee” (Isaiah 60:1–5, emphasis supplied).

Thus, we are bidden, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

“[John 1:45–49 quoted.] Here is an example of how we may put our talents out to the exchangers. Philip communicated his knowledge to another, and so brought a soul to Christ. The light given us of Heaven is to be communicated to others in this way. If you have given light to one soul, you have enlightened one hundred, for that one will communicate the light to others, and so it will go on continually increasing. God forbid that I should spend my probationary time in selfish amusement, or in glorifying self. God has given His beloved Son for my soul; and how could He who inhabiteth eternity look upon me, if I should manifest such ingratitude, and neglect to win souls to Christ?”4

The apostle explains, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also” (Romans 5:1–3).

God can be glorified in the way He enables us to handle trials in daily life.

In an article entitled How to Glorify God, the servant of the Lord explains:

“Through all our trials we should think of the plan of salvation, we should educate the soul to exercise faith in Christ and to render praise to God. Christ suffered reproach. He was reviled and rejected of men. They even said that He had a devil, but He did not shrink from the cross of suffering, and we should not murmur at the self-sacrificing part of religion. All Heaven is interested in the trying of our souls, the whole universe is interested to see how we shall bear the cross and endure the shame. . . .

“If you have doubts, you should not gratify the evil one by telling others concerning them. If you trust in Christ, as surely as He died on Calvary’s cross, you will obtain the victory. It was living faith that caused the woman who had suffered under disease for years to touch the hem of Christ’s garment. This is the faith that we must have, and then we shall not speak of our trials and conflicts; for through them all, we shall have joy unspeakable and full of glory. . . .

“Jesus came to this earth, marred and seared by the curse, for the purpose of bringing moral power to men. He fought the battle in man’s behalf in the wilderness of temptation, and it was the same battle that everyone of us must fight till the close of time. Christ was not overcome in this conflict. He who worked miracles for others, worked none for Himself. He had clothed His divinity with humanity, and He had come to bring divine power to man. He met the enemy at every step with ‘It is written.’ He used the word of God to thwart the temptations of the evil one. This is where our safety lies. We should study the word of God, and be so filled with it, that we can meet the enemy of our souls with ‘It is written,’ as did our example. Then we could hope for the grace that God has promised, to enable us to be overcomers. . . .

“Jesus came to reveal the Father’s love and compassion toward the fallen children of men. When those who profess to be the servants of God draw down their countenances in gloom, and are ever complaining, they misrepresent their heavenly Father. They are confirming the impression that Satan has made concerning His character. They say to the world, ‘The service of God is a hard service. It is bondage to keep the law of God.’ This is all false. What is it that puts the shackles on men’s wrists? Is it obedience to law? No, indeed. Those who keep the laws walk at liberty. It is the transgressor that is in bondage. The curse of the law is not upon those who are striving to fulfill God’s holy precepts through faith in the Redeemer. They are covered with His righteousness. They are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. . . .

“Do you want to enter into the city of God? Christ has stated the condition upon which you may enter. It may seem to you now that commandment-keepers are in the minority; but it will not seem so when the gates of the heavenly city swing back on their glittering hinges. God is on the side of those who obey Him. God is a majority. Christ is on their side, the angels of heaven are on their side, and all the good are on their side. The doers of the law of God are in the majority. They have access to the power that the world cannot give or take away.”5

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18, emphasis added).

The prophet Zechariah describes that which he was shown in vision: “Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment” (Zechariah 3:1–4, emphasis supplied).

And in response to the petition of Moses (Numbers 14:13–19), “the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord” (Verses 20, 21).

As the words of the hymn writer resound, “When all my labors and trials are o’er,” and by God’s grace he would see the Lord’s face, he declares, “That will be glory, be glory for me!”

“Christ impresses upon the mind of believers the fact that they are to have the glory which the Father has given Him, in order that all who love and serve Him may be one with God.”6

Yes, this can include us! Our Saviour petitioned His Father’s throne: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them” (John 17:20–22, emphasis added).

“Oh, what a request! [Jesus] asked not that which was impossible for the members of the human race who believe on Him to receive. He asks that the Father shall love those who believe in Him, who love and serve Him, as He loves His Son. Is this not sufficient to fill our mind with profoundest awe and love? Where is our faith? Oh, let it be strengthened in contemplation of the thought of the possibility of God loving finite men, even as He loved His only-begotten Son! Let our faith be strengthened in contemplating the thought that as followers of Christ we may be complete in Him. Oh, how far short is our faith! Let us talk faith, live faith, and give to the world an example of the faith which works by love and purifies the soul.”7

“Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:13, 14, emphasis supplied).

“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen” (Psalm 72:18, 19, emphasis added).