Called to Glory

Daniel 10:7-11 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. 10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
 
 
WORSHIP is our only response to God’s holy presence. The men with Daniel saw God’s holy light and ran. Daniel saw the angel’s holy light and fell into a deep sleep. God’s pure light, his perfection and his power cause all people to react. Some run. Some fearfully – reverently – fall before him. The Spirit prepared the prophet to hear from God. Our mortal souls cannot remain idle when God’s holiness bursts forth in his glory.
    This is an illustration of God’s call to save his own. Listen to Isaiah before God: Isaiah 6:5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then consider the words of the usually bold Peter as Jesus begins to reveal himself: Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw this (the great catch of fish), he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 
    Isaiah, Peter and Daniel saw God’s holiness. These anointed men knew their sins disqualified them from God’s presence. Then they saw how God extended his holy mercy to call them to himself. By grace he notified them, “You are mine! You are highly esteemed.” He appointed them and used them to proclaim his Word to the world. Isaiah, Daniel and Peter would rise up and respond. Now they live in glory with him, completely qualified to enjoy God’s eternal holiness.
    This is for you, too. In God’s grace you are, indeed, highly esteemed. The Lord God has chosen you to be his people – his church – to hear his message. Worship the Lord God. Rejoice in his light. Stand up to hear and to proclaim his words.
 
Romans 8:30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.