The Weight of Glory

The Weight of Glory

Weight. Not something we generally like to discuss. Psalm 62:9 (NIV) reads, “Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.” The NASB puts it this way, “Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up; They are together lighter than breath.”

The things we so often give weight to, God likens to a puff of air. Click To Tweet

A sigh.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

The true heavyweight? God Himself.

In Exodus 33:18, Moses asked to see God’s glory. The word glory in Hebrew literally means weight. Note a similar connection between weight and glory in the New Testament. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Do we weigh things as God does?

Outward Appearance: God deliver me from this one, because I struggle here. I struggle not to measure myself against others. I struggle not to judge. To be patient enough to see what’s underneath first. Psalm 62:9 reminds me that what others esteem so highly doesn’t move God’s scale one bit.

Works: What we do. I was raised with a performance mindset. Though I’ve tried to shake it, even today, a little voice in my head whispers, “What have you done lately?” God values relationship over productivity. He would rather His sons and daughters spend time with Him first and then partner with Him in the good works He’s prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Matthew 7:21-23 helps me keep this in perspective, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Character: 1 Samuel 16:7 reads, “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” So, how’s your heart? One of my favorite stories is Raymond MacDonald Alden’s “The Knights of the Silver Shield.” The author’s theme centers on faithfulness to one’s post at the cost of potential glory. The story ends with a twist, but one that I think reflects God’s heart in that some of the greatest victories come from faithful, though obscure, service to the post God has given.

Even if the world gives it little weight.

Even if it doesn’t contribute to the global economy.

Investment in the Kingdom and in others takes many forms. Use the proper weights. The sports idols, Oscar winners, and corporate CEOs may do precious little to tip God’s scale, but a heart fully committed to Him has weight.

Workout for the Week: The Weight of Glory

Memory Verse: “Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up; They are together lighter than breath.” Psalm 62:9 NASB

Meditation Passage: Read the story.

Do it: Lift some weights. Give God glory this week!

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