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| Revelations and Glory series |


* God’s Glory Concealed
* Revelations that Change Us
* We Need Spiritual Hunger
* Why Am I in a Dry Season?







God’s Glory Concealed



When we study the Scripture, we begin with a mystery that is concealed and, through the process of meditation on His word, God reveals the truth to us. Why did God do it this way though? What does this show us? Solomon explained it this way in Proverbs 25:



“It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” Proverbs 25:2



So, “it is the glory of God to conceal things”. But why? In what way does this demonstrate His glory? As I contemplate that question, I’m overcome with all of the ways this demonstrates His glory. Oh, how does it not! Let me try to do this justice; let me try to illustrate it for us.



Understanding Glory



First, we need to start with a fresh foundation because, you see, the word “glory” doesn’t always settle well for me (and I suspect I’m not alone). When I think of the word “glory” I think of something visible, something that’s on display for everyone to see, something we want everyone to know. Here’s what’s happening: we often mistaken the word “glory” for what would better be described as “fame”. God is glorious whether or not we are aware of His glory.



I think sometimes we can have the impression that God’s priority when He created the world was seeking His own glory; it isn’t. In fact, just a little later in Proverbs 25, the Scripture tells us plainly that it is not “glorious to seek one’s own glory.” (Proverbs 25:27)



God does, on occasion, make His glory known, but that is not His priority. His glory is actually demonstrated in Proverbs 25:2 by just the opposite. His glory is demonstrated by the fact that He isn’t seeking to be known but concealing Himself. I think this is the first way we can understand this verse: God is glorious (in part) because fame isn’t His priority.



Why is this glorious? Consider how many beautiful and glorious astronomical objects (e.g., search “NGC 6357”) were hidden from us for thousands of years. Consider how many more remain hidden now. Their beauty alone demonstrates God’s glory, but does it not add to His glory that He allowed them to be concealed.