Display of His Splendor

Have you ever thought about the fact that God calls us a display of His splendor?

Isaiah 61:2b-3
"to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

He says He takes the things of your life that seem like they have been destroyed and turned to ashes and turns them into things of beauty – He takes the things that made you cry and exchanges them for His joy and praise. He makes us strong and beautiful like an oak tree to show forth His splendor. To me this means that He wants everyone to SEE how good He is to us. . . that He works out everything for our good (Romans 8:28) and makes us healthy, whole and
prosperous so that we display His splendor to the world.

We are ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ, representing Him in this life. That means we should look like Him and act like Him. He was ALWAYS victorious in every situation and rich beyond what we imagine (with a full time treasurer). His circle of influence was ginormous because He kept close to God and reflected His glory. . . but don’t forget, so do we! We are made in His image (Genesis 1:26) – like a reflection of Him – and He created us to rule and reign in this life (Romans 5:17), just like Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:20
"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."

If we want to be all things to all people to win as many lost as possible like Paul talks about below, then we need to be displaying His splendor in our lives. . . our relationships, our victory in every situation and season of our lives, our finances, our health. We need to receive the wealth God has already poured out to us (Proverbs 13:22, 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, 2 Peter 1:3) and use it to be “all things to all people so that by all possible means” we may save some!

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."

It takes stability and wealth to be all things to all people and being whole and rich God’s way increases your sphere of influence. Let’s run the race God set out for us using all the resources He’s provided. . . which we need! We have to receive what God has for us or else we won’t be able to help when others, who are counting on us to be His hands and feet, need us to pay off their mortgage, or buy them groceries, or provide Christmas gifts and dinner for their family, or fund a year of their ministry overseas, or to buy them a coat or a car because they don’t have one. . . the list goes on. God doesn’t want your family to go without so you can help others.

2 Peter 1:3 NIV
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

His provision for wealth has already been made along with His favor, His wisdom which He gives freely, and our creative power with our words. I’m stretching myself and stepping up and speaking out bigger and bigger – and even that is way too small for what God REALLY has for us. Let’s determine to display His splendor and change the world together!!