Scripture Reading: Exodus 33:12-23, Exodus 34:5-9, Exodus 34:29-35, Daniel 12:3, Matthew 17:1-7, 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Section 1: The Light of the World
One thing I never realized about parenthood is that once your kids start walking you have tiny shadows following you around all of the time. Having three daughters, this “shadow effect” is strongest on the rare occasion that I attempt to do my makeup.
With a mascara wand poised in my right hand, I’ll glance down to see two tiny hands clutching the sink edge next to me, two big eyes gazing back up at me. My tiny mini-me voices a bold request for one so young: “Can I have some?”
This scene repeats regularly. Now, with the girls who are old enough to have mastered the more detailed motions that actual make-up application requires, I set them up with a smaller mirror next to me, and side by side (with some pale, shimmery eye shadow for them) we do our makeup. While I’ve grown more comfortable with the constant shadowing, it’s humbling to see them watch me so closely in the mirror, memorizing my every movement and always asking questions: “Can I have that too? What’s this for? Why did you do that?” And they always utter the one phrase that guarantees to give me pause: “I want to look just like you.”
Maybe it seems strange that this scene is what came to mind while reading about Moses and his encounter with God in Exodus 33. But he also asks a lot of questions, rephrasing them frequently with a relentless approach similar to that of children; at the foundation, his inquiries really center on being close to the Lord. He says, “Now if I have indeed found favor with you, please teach me your ways, and I will know you, so that I may find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13).
The Lord honors his requests, and as a result Moses is changed. Proximity to our Father and His glory will have that effect. Outwardly, Moses also bore evidence of this encounter, to the extent that others took notice (Exodus 34:30).
What’s remarkable about this scene is that through Christ we enjoy the privilege of unencumbered proximity to the Father. Like Moses and the disciples who fell facedown at the sight of God’s glory, we too have such a hope: we are transformed, and can act with great boldness in response (Matthew 17:6, 2 Corinthians 3:12).
I think of my daughters, how comfortably they install themselves right by my side and how easily they make their requests. This type of intimacy is a gift we have in Jesus—to stay by His side, experience His glory, and be changed as a result.
Written by Jennifer Redmond
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78 thoughts on "The Light of His Glory"
Lord, please ignite your Spirit within my heart to make me better reflect your glory, so that when my kids look at me and say they want to be just like me, what they truly desire at the core is to be more like you! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
To god be the glory he is good!
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Love this suggestion @Gwinneth52
This is a reminder that our children follow us. Good or bad. So waking with Jesus is an absolute! My husband and I got away from church when there was a big split. We tried a lot of churches but never felt comfortable. We have recently found our forever home church and it’s a struggle with the teens, but I am seeing the changes. They will eventually follow us with the same enthusiasm.
My favorite devotional of this series so far! Wow! That we get to be close to our Savior-such a gift! ❤️❤️❤️
The verses in 2 Corinthians jumped off the pages to me today. “If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!” “And the Lord, who is the Spirit, makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” Oh God, make us more and more like you!
This is a beautiful reminder of todays reading. Enjoy! https://music.apple.com/us/album/turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus-look-up/715702579?i=715702697
Lord, I ask that You “Keep Making Me” Sidewalk Prophets.
This is beautiful- I love the image of young daughters imitating mom. I fall in my knees this morning to spend time gazing at Jesus. ❤️
My prayer – that I might be a reflection of God’s glory in every encounter I have today. Amen.
God can transform me and I can shine like a light that he has given to me.
This was a beautiful message and a great reminder to be the light!
Kayla, may Philippians 4 encourage you heart. And also, know you are being lifted up in prayer!
Jennifer, I love the imagery you’ve painted here, the view of Moses with a child-like faith, eager to learn from, follow and be like his Father God. I have never thought of Moses in that sense, but I see it now. And with that imagery in mind, I read 2 Corinthians 3:18 with a whole new perspective.
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Amen!
Praying for you Arina, Nandi and Kayla <3
Beautiful. I hope people who encounter me can see that I have a strong relationship with Christ. I hope to be a light in this world and to the people of the world. Merry Christmas everyone ❤️
It is the presence of the Lord with us that distinguishes us from all others(Ex. 33:16). We are able to persevere, endure and suffer yet still rejoice. The presence of the Lord makes all the difference.
Jesus the great leader that is merciful, loving, gracious, and forgiving. All we need to do is just follow him. He has his arms open wide.
Thank you for this today.
I pray that others could see the light of Christ shine through me. As imperfect as I am, sometimes it’s hard to believe that I am shining for Jesus. I believe that as daughter’s of the king, we can’t help but shine for Jesus. The real question is, how much are we shining for him?
@MELANIE RASTRELLI- Thank you for sharing your story! That is a true struggle that you had for so long and still working on but it’s amazing that you said SRT has been such a blessing and help to you!
Praise Jesus!
@Mari V. – I remember when you were sharing with us in that challenging time (still) with splitting from your husband and praying for you! You are such an example of taking a hard, hard stance and stepping out in faith! As time goes by even more will come to light of how God led you! Boy did he during my own divorce! It is never easy, but God makes a way, and gives us blessings we never would have dreamed ourselves if we keep faithful.
@Traci- I LOVE that song and just lift my hands and sing to Jesus. So glad I could pass it along to you friend! Hope you are having a “better” day today.
A precious quote from the author, Madeleine Engle, a She brought to mind last Advent season.
“We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what the believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a Light so Lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.”
Good Morning She’s. May I suggest a fun & spiritually informative suggestion as we travel through Advent 2021. If you have your SRT Advent 2020 Study Book ( most lovely, cardinals, my favorite bird, decorating the cover) & re-visit your prayers & reflections for the same day in each. I always note comments from the daily devotional writer & those raised by She’s. Just two examples that came up for me: Day 11, Pam said: “ His presence is our everlasting present”.
Day 18: ERB said, “A sprinkling of Light, Hope & Peace covering our every step & move”. May you enjoy “listening” to yourself & others who’ve share this space, as we remember where we were then & embrace all the “lightness of being” where we are now. And rest in the warm glow of His Everlasting Light.
Lord, help us to be Your Light and spread the Great News. Help us to shine for You. Amen.
Sisters, be blessed and shine bright this weekend.
Thank Jesus and God for their glory may it shine through all of us to show others his glory.
RHONDA – I just listened to “I Speak Jesus”!! Thank you for sharing. I have not heard this beautiful song before.
SarahJoy I feel you on the needing sunlight. We are in SoCal and are lucky enough to have sunshine during the day almost everyday but the early darkness affects me too! Sometimes I miss the darker days we had in Philly to make the sunny ones that much more special. Nandi I feel you- I am doing a study on God’s armor and every time I spend time doing it I also feel attacked. I am praying for you. Thanks for everyone who has been praying for me and the little one. We are doing great and appreciate your continued prayers !
I was saying my prayers before starting my study this morning. I asked that God would shine through me. That others would see my faith. That I would have a grace from God and remember just whose daughter I am. When I read todays reading I thought oh wow! I want to show the world that I’m a believer. To not fall back into the ways of others. Please Lord bless me with your light.
Thank you RHONDA and JENNIFER for your prayers!
The thing that sticks out to me most in today’s reading is in Matthew 17:1-7. It’s interesting who Jesus chose to accompany Him – Peter, James & John. Jesus led them up a high mountain by themselves. They were alone with Jesus – away from the crowds, the noise, the distractions of life. It wasn’t until then that Jesus was transformed before them.
This is a reminder to me, that I need to get alone with God – away from every distraction and interruption and spend quality time with Him. That’s when He speaks to us the most, that’s when we hear Him the most. And I need to listen to His Spirit, instead of me doing all the talking!
Good reminder today – thank you Jennifer Redmond!
@Kayla – praying for you today, that God will take away your anxiety and give you peace at your job. Thinking of Philippians 4:6,7 and praying this for you!
@Nandi- praying for you today too, that God will help you through your struggles and that you will overcome all the attacks from Satan! Put on the armor of God, it is our sure defense – we already have the victory through Jesus!
A blessed weekend to you all!
I really like the verse in Daniel 12:3 Those who have insight will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. I really like that because it is full of hope knowledge and strength I believe all in one.
Praise!
A beautiful, real-life example. Thank you for sharing that precious moment with your daughters.
I love the intimate and bold relationship that Moses had with the LORD. And that I can pursue the same through His Son, Jesus. Amen.
Having been a nanny for two little girls for near 3 years and expecting our first that image really spoke to me and was a tangible example. I love tangible examples in a bible study. Thank you.
“And we all are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. .”- 2 Corinthians 3:18. This portion of our reading and the delightfully heart warming devotional have blessed my morning. Every trial and testing I experience transforms me from one degree of glory to another in my quest to bear the full image of Christ. Wow. Just Wow! Also…. I have my own little shadow that follows me, asks questions and delights me with her trust. What a wonderful devotional. Praying now for Nandi and Kayla!
Good morning to all of you She’s in The Word this Friday morning. NANDI and KAYLA I am praying for both of you as we go into this weekend. I know what spiritual attack of the enemy is like. It’s real and it’s very scary. I have always struggled with crippling anxiety since I was a young girl to the point of being terrified of leaving my house for over 30 years. I’m much better today, especially since I discovered SRT in January 2020. I have found such comfort and peace being in the Word of God every day. Not to mentioned how much I have learned about the Old Testament and New Testament that I never dreamed of. I was raised in a home with loving parents but ones who never went to a church or even prayed. Thankfully this sweet older lady offered to come pick me up and take me to Sunday School when I was about 6. And there it all began. I gave my life to Jesus when I was 10 at Vacation Bible School. I just kept going to church, singing in other friends’ church choirs( no great voice here). God just kept pulling me back to Him. He kept saying Come and I did. Anyway, to make a long story even longer, I am so grateful for the people He put in my path over the years. God is so good.
Loved this!! I was imagining Jennifer’s little girls right next to her. How I miss those times. My daughter will be 16 years old next month. When our lives took a drastic 180° turn I needed to make sure that I was setting an example for her. Not just by taking that 180° turn but continue to live a life for Christ. Even when things come against me I want her little eyes to see that I LOVE Jesus  regardless of what’s going around me.
Beautiful devotional and such inspiring Scriptures this morning! Daniel 12:3 stood out to me this morning. I want to memorize that one!
NANDI and KAYLA and others facing anxiety/uncertainty – read Psalm 91 (find the translation that works best for you) and read it over and over inserting your name where you can. Read it out loud occasionally, too. You will be empowered by hearing that spoken word! God bless and cover you in His peace!
Good morning dear Sisters!
This bible study today contains one of my most FAVORITE Bible verses ever!
Matthew 17: 8
Now, I love this verse because the Disciples, when they got back up.. only saw Jesus! Isn’t that amazing? I hope that we all focus our eye on Jesus every single moment of our lives.. no matter how long or short they are.
Where the spirit of God is is freedom. We will not get that elsewhere. Freedom, life, forgiveness, beauty, peace… all the things we are looking for… is only in Jesus!
May we all go to Him today and say a “yes” to Him
I love you ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Jesus for helping me to see, in your name I pray, Amen!
Once again, I would like to share a song. For those that are stuggling with anxiety or depression, or just want to call out to Jesus. It is called “I Speak Jesus” by Kingsporch. Turn it on, listen, absorb, and sing with them. Christian Songs are worship, praise, and prayer, sometimes even direct scriptures. That’s why I always have them playing in my house and the car. It can be your connection to heaven when the world is overpowering. Sometimes at night, I wake up and can’t sleep, but I can remember songs, (I have a hard time with memorization of scripture!) and repeat them in my head. It replaces all the thoughts and anxiety of life. A great Christmas one right now is Wonderful, by Cain.
Prayers will also be lifted up for those in need! Your names also run off my mind at night!! So keep posting your request, we are your family, your friends, and sisters in CHRIST!
Happy Friday!
“Do not press the enter key. Do NOT press the enter key. DO NOT press the enter key!” This is so hard for me, as I like paragraph form!!! Two things got me this morning… 1) Exodus 33:14. Love that! 2) a preschool praise song I have on CD… “I will shine. I will shine for you. Give you praise in everything I do!” Lord, help me remember that You go WITH me, give me REST, and make me SHINE for You. Have a blessed day , sisters!
This is so sweet ❤️ Thank you for the analogy with your daughters, that helped drive it home for me.
Transform me, Lord Jesus. This is my heart’s cry…❤️
That devotional was adorable and at the same time got the point across well. ❤️ Thank you SRT team!
@NANDI and @KAYLA, take comfort in this, many women are lifting you up in prayer this morning, many, without commenting, are requesting protection and comfort on your behalf.
Being transformed, Praise God.
Nandi and Kayla, I’m praying for you!
This morning I’m coming before the Lord as His daughter saying, “show me Your glory; I want to be like You, ABBA. “
To be in Your presence and find Your favor is the cry of my heart Lord God. In Jesus name. Amen
Nandi and Kayla, I’m praying for you!
This time of year my body adapts to the cold as I put on more clothes and snuggle my people and dogs. But the darkness can bring me down. At times I long for the brightness of the sun in the midst of the gloom. The writer on the hereadstruth page talked about this, and it was such a good reminder that the winter solstice is the time when the days begin getting longer.
HeReadsTruth:
“So, how do we reflect Jesus well? By being transformed into His image, by becoming more like Him in how we think, talk, and act. Like the winter solstice, our light should get stronger each and every day. God revealed His glory through Christ during His time on earth. Now, He puts His glory on display through us as we live as His hands and feet.”
As my girls follow me may my light grow stronger as I read the Bible and cling to Jesus for His light and direction. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord‘s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.“
2 Corinthians 3:18
Prayers spoken for you NANDI and KAYLA.
So thankful the Lord never leaves us. Where else can we find this kind of love? He never fails. Praying I would stay close to him and reflect his Light.
@Taylor, So glad you’re doing well! yes haha, praying we can get up early to read the Word too.
I especially loved this today. How encouraging and challenging to think of our availability to Christ and to be transformed more and more into His likeness! Praying that I better reflect His glory the rest of this Advent season and beyond!
I love that when Moses encountered God, some of God’s prescience rubbed off on him. The same thing happens to us when we spend time in God’s presence!
Kayla and Nandi, lifting you both up in prayer this morning to The One who can. Hugs
Kayla and Nandi, lifting you both up
I read a quick devotional this morning about a missionary husband and wife who would go to God in prayer when they needed to make a decision and then wait in His presence for guidance as they went forward. And I thought, just like Moses, our hearts cry, Lord, do not send us unless You go with us. The joy is found in the journey, according to Whose path we follow and the One who goes with us. What a privilege it is to know that we do not go alone for the Holy Spirit dwells within us. The veil has been torn. I look forward, with fear and awe, to the day I will get to see my Father’s face. I imagine eyes that penetrate, shining light on the deepest truths in my being, while forgiving and embracing me because I am His child and Jesus is my covering. Thank you Jesus for tearing the veil and opening the way of forgiveness and eternal life together. Such blessings. Don’t let us go Father, unless You are with us. Amen.
Kayla Willoughby we all need…all the prayers we can get. Thank you for the blessing of lifting you to the Father this morning. Lord, Savior, God, and King we have homes and families. We have jobs. We have pressures, influences, and circumstances that surround us. Like Elisha’s helper sometimes all we see is the enemy. I pray that you would open Kayla’s eyes to see your army that fights for her even now. I pray that the victory would be won and I pray that during the fight she would be covered in your armor, that her arms would be held high by sisters in Christ when she is tired, and I pray that you will use this for your honor and glory. Shine through the darkness Lord and thank you for your Light. Amen.
Nandi Munson – May your heart, mind, and spirit be yoked into and yielded to the guiding of the Holy Spirit. May you be covered with the armor of God, shielded in His faithfulness, and may you dwell in the shelter of the Almighty. Amen.
Mandy and Kayla I am praying right now! Look for the LIGHT!!! He is right there with you in all things!!!
And he replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” May Gods presence go with each of us today and always. I need rest and peace much. The weary world rejoices sticks in my head this season. Praying for our children that they will be strong and courageous. Praying for us to be the light to this world. Praying that Gods light is revealed and we fight back the darkness and “don’t become weary” in doing so
NANDI and KAYLA, I’m praying for you this morning. “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” Psalm 37:40
Lord help me to show others your glory. Sending prayers to you Kayla and Nandi
Praying for you now
Nandi Munson, Kayla Willoughby, Abby Moberg, Luzzy Butterfield – praying for your requests ❤
Good morning Shes. Please hold me in prayer. I am really struggling at home and am under spiritual attack. I am clinging to Jesus and His Word, and covet your prayers.
Good morning Shes. Please hold me in prayer. I am really struggling at home and am really being attacked by the Enemy.
Good morning Shes,
Light of the World, make me more like You. When people look at me I want them to say, “She looks just like her Father.”
I loved this reading today! As a mom of both boy and girl, this really opened my eyes, not only to the fact that I should look to the Lord as they look to me but that I should always be like the Lord so my kids will see him through me. Y’all please pray for me I am struggling with anxiety and frustration at work and I need all the prayers I can get.
Amen
Exodus 33:13 stood out to me. “Now if I have indeed found favor with you, please teach me your ways, and I will know you, so that I may find favor with you.” The last few days I’ve been struggling with feeling not good enough towards God. It felt like I had to prove my faith but was constantly failing. But this verse. I’ve found favour with God. And now, by letting Him teach me His ways, by focusing on His glory, I’m transformed in His image. I find favor with Him.
This. All of this.
Be blessed ladies and remain in His glory
Yes!!! Let’s us be Christ’s little shadows, And lights at the same time!