A Prayer for the One Who Is Afraid of God’s Glory and Power - Your Daily Prayer - June 11

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A Prayer for the One Who Is Afraid of God’s Glory and Power
By Sophia Bricker 

Bible Reading:
“Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking” (Ezekiel 1:26-28, NIV).

Listen or Read:

Whenever the earth shook, and the growl of thunder came, my dog would tremble. If she were in the laundry room, she would paw against the door in terror, her breathing rising to a pant and whine. If there was one thing my dog feared, it was a thunderstorm. Normally, she lived courageously, barking at strangers and cornering a praying mantis. She had even protected my sisters and me from a larger, attacking dog when we were children. At the clap of thunder, though, she panicked. 

Of course, she had good reason to fear the sound of the storm and the flashes of lightning. Not only can dogs sense changes in barometric pressure that humans cannot, but my dog also had past trauma from storms. My family found her abandoned in a graveyard as a puppy–undoubtedly having spent days exposed to the elements, including rain and thunderstorms. Fear was a natural response to something that was powerful, dangerous, and uncontrollable. For no amount of barking will scare away a storm. 

Powerful forces in the world usually leave humans fearful, though often with a mixture of awe and despair. Ezekiel certainly felt this way when he encountered the thunderstorm-like whirlwind of God's glory. After seeing the great angels surrounding the throne of God, and the appearance of the Lord in jewel and rainbow beauty, the prophet fell to the ground. He was overcome with terror and awe. 

The Lord, in His great holiness and majesty, could have left him there. As it is, no one can rightly stand before the Almighty without acknowledging their unworthiness. Yet God did not leave Ezekiel to cower on the ground. Instead, He instructed the prophet to stand up, sending the Spirit to set him on his own two feet (Ezekiel 2:1-2). He then told Ezekiel about his role as a prophet, to go out and testify to Israel about His glory (see Ezekiel 2:3-7).

We should revere the Lord, as He is more magnificent than we can imagine. Yet, if we treat Him like a thunderstorm, rolling through in power to wreak havoc wherever and whenever He pleases, then we forget that He is a good God. The same Lord who causes us to fall to the ground in reverence is the same Lord who picked up Ezekiel from the ground, and who, later, spoke to John and gently placed a hand on him (see Revelation 1:17-18). 

Our Lord is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), but He is also the loving One who entered our world of sin and death to save us (Romans 5:8). Like my dog, who would grow calmer during the storm when I offered her a pat and a kind word, may we also be assured that our Lord is compassionate and good. As Mr. Beaver said in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, “Who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.”   

Let’s Pray:

Great God who stands in radiant glory as Sovereign of the universe, I am in awe of You. The most beautiful jewels and stones cannot compare to Your magnificence. Yet there are times when I feel like Ezekiel or John, overwhelmed by the knowledge of Your holiness. Who am I to stand before You, O Lord? What am I but a mere ant compared to Your glory?

In my worship and awe of You, help me to also remember that You are good. The scars on Your hands, feet, and side testify to Your love. I am a sinner in the presence of a holy Lord, but I am covered by the blood of Christ. In Your kindness, You have made me Your child. So, may I bow in reverence at the feet of the One who died for me, who lovingly offers me His hand.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Discuss today’s devotional with others in the Your Daily Prayer thread on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: BrilliantEye/Getty Images

Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site  Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.

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