Genesis 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” John 1:1 talks about the beginning too, saying, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Then we are told that everything that was made in the heavens and on the earth was made only by the Word of God (John 1:3).

Jesus was in the beginning and He was the Word. All things were made through Him and in Him was life (John 1:1-4). Genesis 1:3 tells us that light was brought into the universe because God spoke it into existence. He said, “Let there be light’; and there was light.” This is not referring to the light from the sun or the reflected light from the moon because the sun and the moon were not created until the fourth day (vv. 14-17). Before creation could take place, God prepared creation with His glory.

I have an aunt that lived on a farm in a small country town for several years. When the family would get together and somebody would tell a fascinating story, she would lean back and laugh and say, “Well, glory be!”

In Genesis 1:3 when God said, “Let there be light,” a more correct translation of the Hebrew would be, “Light be.” Since God was not referring to the sun or the moon, what light did He move into the earth? Genesis 1:2 says, “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep.” But when God said, “Light be,” the earth took form and confusion left. That’s what the glory of God did and that’s what His glory can do in our lives.

When your life is full of confusion and it seems as though darkness surrounds you, the only way to have peace and shalom is to be in the presence of His glory. Psalm 16:11 says, “In [God’s] presence is fullness of joy.” The glory of the Lord is the manifestation of His presence.

Now, you may ask, how do you get into His presence? I wish I had a formula for that but I don’t. I can tell you that I have experienced His presence probably more while praying than at any other time. However, I have also felt His presence while ministering in different venues such as churches and prisons. I have felt His presence while praising and worshiping Him in and out of church. I have felt His presence while driving my car. I have sensed His presence while studying His Word. We need to remember that God is omnipresent but there are just sometimes that you will feel His presence more than other times. He is not in a box.

The more you develop a personal relationship, and personal prayer time with Him, the more you will experience His presence. Glory Be!!!

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