When God Shows Up He Shows Off: How God Reveals His Glory And Power
Throughout history, God has demonstrated his glory and authority through miraculous displays of power. When God shows up, he puts his omnipotence on full display. In this article, we will explore biblical examples of when God made his presence known in awe-inspiring ways and discuss the significance of these divine showcases of might.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer to your question: When God chooses to reveal himself, he often does so through supernatural feats that leave no doubt about his supreme power and authority. His miracles and wonders testify to his glory.
Parting of the Red Sea
The Israelites Face a Dead End at the Sea
After escaping from Egypt, the Israelites found themselves in a predicament – with the Red Sea before them and the Egyptian army pursuing them from behind. Trapped between a “rock and a hard place”, it seemed like certain doom awaited God’s chosen people.
Pharaoh’s heart had been hardened despite the ten plagues God had inflicted on Egypt. Now his massive army of horses, chariots and soldiers were bearing down on the defenseless Israelites. With their backs against the sea, the Israelites had no escape and were filled with fear and despair. According to Exodus 14:10-12, “As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them.
They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, ‘Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? ‘”
After witnessing God’s miracles and deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites still lacked faith in God’s ability to save them. This time, their situation seemed hopeless. But man’s extremity is God’s opportunity!
God Parts the Sea to Allow the Israelites to Escape
In an awe-inspiring display of His sovereign power over nature, God parted the waters of the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross over on dry land! As Exodus 14:21-22 recounts: “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land.
The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”
God made a way where there seemed to be no way. By parting the sea, He creatively provided an escape for His people from certain destruction. As the Israelites hurried across the dry seabed, the Egyptian army recklessly pursued them only to have the waters close in on them, drowning the entire army.
This stunning demonstration of God’s power both delivered His people and decimated their enemies in one fell swoop. According to Exodus 14:28, “The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea.
Not one of them survived.” What appeared to be an impossible situation was turned into a great victory and deliverance for God’s people.
The Miracle Demonstrates God’s Power Over Nature
The parting of the Red Sea was a jaw-dropping supernatural event that demonstrated God’s total dominion over the natural world. By commanding the sea to move through Moses, God showed His absolute authority over the elements of nature. As Creator, the natural world responds to His divine decrees.
The timing also shows God’s perfect orchestration of events. Just as the Egyptian army approached, He opened an unlikely escape through the sea, only to close it again on the enemy’s army like a trap door.
The Red Sea crossing showcases God’s amazing power and control over both nature and human events.
Some key lessons from this miracle include:
- God can make a way when there seems to be no way.
- What is impossible for man is more than possible for God.
- God works on behalf of His people and against those who defy Him.
- God is all-powerful over nature and commands the elements to do His will.
- God’s timing is perfect to accomplish His purposes.
The Red Sea crossing was an epic display of God’s might intended to build the Israelites’ faith in His ability to save. It remains one of the greatest miracles in the Bible, underscoring that nothing is too difficult for the Lord (Jeremiah 32:17). With God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
Jesus Calms a Raging Storm
The Disciples Fear for Their Lives in a Storm
One day Jesus and his disciples got into a boat to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. As they were sailing, a furious squall came up and the waves began to break over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped (Luke 8:22-23).
The disciples were terrified and cried out to Jesus, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (Luke 8:24). The experienced fishermen among them had never seen a storm this bad before on the Sea of Galilee. They feared that their lives were in danger from the raging winds and waves.
Jesus Rebukes the Winds and Waves with a Command
In the midst of the storm, Jesus was sleeping soundly in the stern. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (Luke 8:24). Jesus got up and issued a command to the winds and the waves: “Quiet! Be still!”
Instantly the wind died down and the sea became completely calm (Mark 4:39). The disciples were amazed that even the winds and sea obey Jesus’ voice. His power and authority over nature itself left them in awe of who he was.
This was not just any man sleeping in the boat with them. This miracle confirmed that Jesus was no ordinary teacher or prophet. He possessed divine power and authority over creation itself. The raging storm had no choice but to obey his commanding voice.
The disciples caught a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory as the Lord who rules over wind and wave.
The Miracle Shows Jesus’ Authority Over Creation
The calming of the storm demonstrated Jesus’ supreme authority over the forces of nature. The winds, waves, and sea instantly obeyed his spoken word. As Creator of the universe, Jesus has absolute power over the elements of creation.
Even the destructive power of storms must submit to the commands of Christ. This awe-inspiring miracle was another sign that Jesus was no mere man, but the divine Son of God come in the flesh (Mark 4:41).
The fact that Jesus could quell the storm with a word also showed his authority over the powers of evil. In Scripture, the chaotic sea often symbolizes sinister spiritual forces opposed to God (Psalm 74:13-14; 89:9-10; Isaiah 27:1).
The episode showed Jesus’ dominance over the forces of chaos and darkness that wage war against God’s kingdom. Christ’s power and authority over the storm pointed to his supreme power over Satan and demonic powers as well.
Most importantly, this miracle gave the disciples a glimpse of Jesus’ glory as the Messiah and Son of God (John 2:11). It reinforced their faith that he was the Lord who rules over creation. The One who calmed the storm that day is the same Lord who still reigns over all things today.
Pentecost and the Holy Spirit
Jesus Promises the Coming of the Holy Spirit
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). Jesus had promised them earlier that He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to be their helper and guide forever (John 14:16).
The disciples likely did not fully understand what this meant, but they trusted in Jesus’ promise. After seeing Jesus ascend in the clouds, they returned to Jerusalem as He had instructed them and devoted themselves to prayer while waiting expectantly for the Spirit’s arrival (Acts 1:12-14).
The Holy Spirit Arrives in a Display of Wind and Fire
The disciples’ wait paid off ten days later on the Day of Pentecost. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the house where they were gathered. What looked like tongues of fire rested on each of them, and all were filled with the Holy Spirit.
The disciples were so overcome by the Spirit that observers thought they were drunk (Acts 2:1-4)! But this was no drunken spectacle – it was the awe-inspiring arrival of the promised Holy Spirit in power. Peter explained the meaning to the crowd that gathered.
Quoting the prophet Joel, he made it clear that they were witnessing the dawn of the last days (Acts 2:16-21).
The Outpouring Launches the Church’s Global Mission
Empowered by the Spirit, Peter preached the gospel boldly to the crowd. In response, about 3,000 people repented, believed in Jesus, and were baptized – launching the worldwide growth of the Church (Acts 2:41). Where once the disciples had hidden in fear, now they spoke God’s truth courageously.
As Jesus promised, the Spirit equipped them to be His witnesses locally and globally (Acts 1:8). In the power of the Spirit, the disciples performed “many wonders and signs” to testify to Jesus. Just as Jesus displayed the glory and power of God during His earthly ministry, now His Spirit-filled followers were continuing His work.
From the first outpouring at Pentecost until today, the Holy Spirit empowers all believers to live on mission for Christ with boldness.
God’s Presence in the Tabernacle and Temple
God Instructs Moses to Build the Tabernacle
After God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, He desired to dwell among His people. God gave Moses detailed instructions on how to construct a portable temple called the tabernacle (Exodus 25-27).
This amazing structure allowed God’s presence and glory to be with the Israelites as they traveled to the Promised Land.
The tabernacle was to be made of the finest materials like gold, silver, bronze, fine linens, animal skins, wood, oil, and spices (Exodus 25:3-7). Skilled craftsmen like Bezalel and Oholiab were supernaturally empowered by God’s Spirit to construct the tabernacle and its furnishings (Exodus 31:1-11).
When complete, the tabernacle was a stunning display of God’s glory and a place for Him to meet with Moses (Exodus 29:42-43).
God’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle
After the tabernacle was assembled, God’s awesome presence filled the holy structure. Exodus 40:34-38 describes this incredible moment:
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle…For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.
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Once God’s presence entered and consecrated the tabernacle, Moses was unable to enter because of the powerful glory cloud. The Israelites were amazed and in awe at seeing God’s glory resting on the tabernacle. This visible manifestation of God’s presence guided and protected them.
Later, God’s Presence Enters the Temple in a Cloud
Centuries later, when Solomon completed the first temple in Jerusalem, once again God’s glory filled the holy place. 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 describes this stunning moment:
“When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it.
When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord. “
As with the tabernacle, God’s magnificent glory entered the temple as a cloud and caused the ministers to fall down in awe-inspired worship. Throughout Israel’s history, God’s glory would fill the tabernacle and later Solomon’s temple, demonstrating His desire to commune with His people.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Jesus is Crucified and Buried
Jesus was crucified by Roman soldiers around 30 AD. He was nailed to a cross and left to die. This was a brutal form of execution used by the Romans. Before being crucified, Jesus was flogged and mocked by the soldiers. They placed a crown of thorns on his head and beat him.
After being nailed to the cross, Jesus hung there for hours until he died. Two men were crucified alongside him, one on his left and right. After Jesus passed away, a man named Joseph of Arimathea asked for permission to take Jesus’ body and bury it.
Jesus was removed from the cross and placed in a tomb cut out of rock. A large stone was rolled in front of the tomb entrance.
On the Third Day, Jesus’ Tomb is Found Empty
Jesus had prophesied multiple times that he would die and rise again on the third day. On the Sunday after his crucifixion, some female followers of Jesus went to his tomb to anoint his body with spices. When they arrived, they were shocked to find the stone rolled away and no body inside.
Angels appeared and told them Jesus had risen from the dead as he said. The women ran to tell the disciples the amazing news. That same day Jesus began appearing to his followers, first to Mary Magdalene and later to Peter and others.
Over a period of 40 days, Jesus was seen alive by his disciples on multiple occasions and by more than 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
The Resurrection Affirms Christ’s Deity and Redemptive Power
The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It proves that Jesus is the Son of God who has power over death itself (Romans 1:4). If Christ had remained dead, he would have been exposed as merely a human prophet. But his defeat of death vindicates his claims to divinity.
The resurrection also means that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was effective in paying for our sins. He conquered the penalty of sin which is death (1 Corinthians 15:17). As Paul said, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
Millions of believers over the centuries have placed their hope in the risen Lord and Savior.
Conclusion
Throughout Scripture, we see God intervening in history with awe-inspiring signs and wonders that point unmistakably to his power and glory. While God often works in subtle, quiet ways, he has demonstrated his supreme might through events like the parting of the Red Sea, the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost, and ultimately through the resurrection of Jesus from the grave.
These miraculous showcases leave no doubt: our God is the all-powerful King of Kings whose glory and authority are unmatched.
