And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,” (Acts 7:2)
Yesterday we saw that God has “life in himself”. He does not need to gain life from anywhere else, as he is life. The same goes for glory. He simply has glory since he is the God of glory.
So what, you might think! Well, we live in a world where a great value is put on self-worth and self-esteem. People look for affirmation from the wider society, and then object strongly if they do not receive that confirmation from others. Dignity is an important concept, and has to be gained from others.
In the end, though, this makes us dependant on other people and subject to their changing attitudes. Not so the God of glory. He can gain no dignity or worth from other people. Rather he is the true source of all dignity.
And what might this have to do with you? Well, what higher sense of dignity can you gain than that which comes from being a child of God? What greater sense of self-worth than knowing that Christ died for you? What greater boost to self-esteem than being a recipient of the love of God? A love which is eternal and changeless.
It is easy to acknowledge that we rely upon God for life, but not often easy to depend on him for glory or worth. Far easier to seek the approval of your neighbour, family and friends. Yet this is to put yourself in the hands of another, and to be subject to their whims. Better to seek the Lord in whom all wisdom is to be found, and who alone can give you a meaning which endures.
