Weight of Glory

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; … (2 Corinthians 4:17)

“Glory” is a word which is frequently used among those of the Christian faith, but often without really understanding its meaning. Glory is most often associated with God, of course, and rightly so. But what does it mean? What is the glory of God?

To put it in simple terms, the glory of God is simply the presence of God, as He makes Himself unmistakably known. Since God is all glory, wherever God is, His glory can be known. The Scriptures tell us that God is continually revealing Himself and His glory through the things He has created in heaven and on earth. “The heavens declare the glory of God;” (Psalm 19:1) Thus, wherever we look – if we know what we’re looking for – we may expect to know the presence of God and His glory. We also experience his revelation and glory in prayer, study, fasting and worship.

We experience the glory of God as a kind of weight. The original meaning of the word, “glory”, is “to be heavy” or “to weigh upon.” When we are in the presence of the glory of God and aware of it, we become conscious of something greater than ourselves pressing upon us, crowding and weighing on us, like a heavy spiritual presence. In Scripture, whenever God shows His glory to any of His servants, they often fall down to the ground, as though knocked off their feet by the sudden realization of some great, weighty presence.

When Jesus visited the Nephites after his crucifixion, “the whole multitude fell to the earth” and “they did cry out with one accord, saying, Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down and the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.” (3 Nephi 5:13, 17)

In the presence of God and His glory we know a peace that passes all understanding, abundant joy, an overwhelming sense of love, excitement, fear, and even conviction that causes us to tremble and makes us want to linger. Like the disciples on the mount of Transfiguration, when God brings us into His presence and glory, we say, “It is good for us to be here.”

Paul experienced a great many trials in his life. God told Ananias that he would show Paul “how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16) And Paul did suffer. We know from Acts and other letters that he was shipwrecked, stoned, tortured, and imprisoned.  In his second letter to the Corinthian saints he tells them that he has been troubled, perplexed, and persecuted. (2 Cor 4:8-9) But with just a few words he places the difficulties that he suffered for the sake of the Gospel in great contrast by calling them momentary light afflictions that in themselves brought into his life something far more excellent and eternal, the weight of Glory. The presence of God.

When we stand for the name of Jesus, it may not be easy for us. But when we stand, he will meet us there with his presence and in the weight of that Glory, any affliction that we suffer will pale in comparison. Let us be steadfast. Let us be faithful. Let us keep our eye single to the glory of God.