“For I,” says the Lord, “will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.”  (Zech 2:5)

For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.”  (Zech 2:8)

God the Father sent Jesus, our Savior, to earth to become the Savior of the world.  In accomplishing that assignment, Jesus brought glory to His Father and to Himself.  That’s why Zechariah 2:8 says, He sent Me after glory. 

Further on in the same verse, it states:  for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.  I used to think only believers were the apple of His eye, but now I believe that this expression applies to all of mankind.  Since God created man for Himself, all of mankind is the apple of His eye.

God says that HE is the glory within us in Zechariah 2:5.  What an awesome and beautiful idea!  We have glory within us . . .

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  (Col 1:27 – emphasis added)

When He comes to be glorified in His saints and to be marveled at in all those who have believed.  (2 Th 1:10 – emphasis added)

Christ in us—His life in us and His love operating through us—that is our true hope of glory.  What does glory mean?   The definition of glory is: 

• High renown or honor won by notable achievements
• Magnificence; great beauty

Any notable achievements or beauty that other people find in us believers is due to God’s presence within each one of us, and His grace upon us. 

Here is another definition of glory:

“. . . glory is spoken of as attaching to God’s kingly rule ( Psalm 145:11-12 ) and his presence ( Psalm 96:6 ), and as being his clothing ( Job 40:10 ; Psalm 93:1 ; 104:1 ) and above the heavens ( Psalm 8:1 ; 113:4 ; 148:13 ).”   Source: Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/glory.

We have the privilege of carrying the presence of God with us and in us.  Because we do, we carry God’s glory.  Furthermore, our entire purpose in life is to serve God and to bring Him glory.  Let’s remember to freely share God’s love and promises with everyone.  In so doing, we bring Him glory and allow others to glimpse glory within us.

Shine for Jesus today!