by Katrina
LINK: 2 Corinthians 3
BACKGROUND
In this chapter, Paul refers to the events described in Exodus 34. Take a few minutes to read it and refresh your memory of these events. Moses went up the mountain the second time to receive the Law from God and asked to see the Lord. God placed Moses in a cleft of the rock and covered him with His hand while He passed by. Then He took His hand away and allowed Moses to see His back. When Moses returned to the people, after 40 days on the mountain with God, his face shone because of being with God. Moses covered his face with a veil when he was around the people. He removed the veil whenever he went to speak with God, though. Eventually, the light faded from his face.
REFLECTION
The ministry of Moses was to bring the Law of God to the people. The Law was written in letters on stone and brought condemnation and death to the people. In contrast, our ministry as believers is to bring Jesus to people. Rather than being written in letters on stone and bringing death, this new covenant we bring is of the Spirit and gives life! How exciting! But there's more. Remember the glory of God that shone from Moses's face? We have the glory of God, too. In fact, since we have the Spirit of God within us, we have even more glory than Moses did. And it never fades.
APPLICATION
Those who are unbelievers are blinded by a veil over their heart and they do not see the Lord. When a person believes, the veil is removed. As believers we can see the Lord with our hearts. We cannot look directly at God, just as Moses couldn't. But it's like we see His reflection, just as Moses saw His back. And once we catch a glimpse of the Lord, we begin to be transformed. What are we transformed into? His image!! We gradually reflect God's glory in ourselves. As we allow the Holy Spirit to change us, the glory of God increases in us from one degree of glory to the next, and the next, and so on. Take some time today to reflect on your own journey with the Lord and note the changes He has made in your heart and life, and then praise Him for what He has done! How do you reflect His glory? Does it make you bold (verse 12)?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for removing the veil from my heart so I can see you and know you. Whenever I reflect on the changes you have made in my heart over the years, I am astounded! May the glory of your Spirit shine through my life and be seen by others. And may the presence of your glory give me boldness to speak of you. The glory you give me never fades since it comes from the Spirit who lives within me.Keep transforming me into your image! In the name of Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, amen.
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