The Greek word “Doxa” means common belief or shared opinion. When the Septuagint translated the orginal Hebrew word “Kavod” which means glory to doxa, some of its meaning and intent were lost. Kavod in Hebrew also means weight. In Greek Orthodoxy, acts of true worship were also considered to be faith and referred to as glory. But that somehow seems to shift the focus from God to man as he strives to worship, believe, and give glory to God. Thus even our best efforts attempt to impart to God something He already has, as if we are doing Him a favor when we worship Him. Whenever the actions of men are involved, there is always a risk that pride will raise its ugly head. Perhaps that is why different churches have historically squabbled and often split up over styles of worship. Maybe it also opens the door to the notion that one person’s faith, worship or practices are superior to another’s. 

The Hebrew word, therefore gives us a better understanding of the true glory of God. When His glory filled the temple, the weight of it was so great that the priests were not able to stand. Likewise, when the glory of God passed by Moses, it was necessary for him to be placed by God in the cleft of the rock . Though Moses survived the encounter, he was only able to view God from behind. I imagine it was rather like the crushing weight of the sea at 10,000 feet and the intense heat when in close proximity to the sun. That is but a glimpse of glory of our God who was, is and is to come. We cannot GIVE Him glory with our worship, indeed ALL of our efforts will fall short. God IS glory. 

So how do we define the word glory? We really can’t, but the Hebrews seemed to sum it up best. God IS the very essence of glory and no one can stand in His presence due to the intense weight of it. 

Avinu (Father) thank you for the weight of Your glory and Your awesome presence in the life of all who love and worship you. We fall to our knees, unable to stand in our brokenness and human frailties. Thank You that Yeshua (Jesus) is our cleft in the Rock for only by Him are we able to even gaze in Your direction or catch a glimpse of Your beauty and glory. We thank You again and again in Yeshua’s precious name! Amen!

The word “baruch”  in Hebrew means to bless but also means to kneel, to bow down in humility. When Jesus came to earth He humbled Himself by becoming a helpless infant and then died a most humiliating death upon the cross simply to redeem fallen man. The Hebrew word is important because it reveals the fact that Jesus humbled Himself and blessed us simultaneously. Truly the proper response to such a blessing and humble sacrifice is to kneel.  

When I ruptured the discs in my neck the pain was excruciating , like none I had ever experienced.  During what seemed like the eternity it took for my son to arrive at the emergency room, I believe God allowed me to experience a glimpse of what it was like for Jesus to have been abandoned by his disciples, and for His Father to have withheld His presence.  Simply put....it was horrific.

The memory of the pain and loneliness I felt is still so fresh in my mind, that were it not for the fact that God has been using it to teach me important lessons, I would most certainly suffer post traumatic stress every time I feel a twinge in my arm or neck.  But I do not. 

When my youngest son arrived at the emergency room, the sense of loneliness began to lose its grip. When he took my hand, the pain somehow seemed more tolerable. I suppose it was not unlike the time this same son as a child broke his arm and I swept him into my own, whisking him away to the doctor. I would imagine that he was comforted by my presence and subsequent actions. Or the time my own mom scooped me up in her arms, my 9 year old body bloodied and bruised after my legs had been crushed by a boulder. The relief I felt as she held me tight to her chest was indescribable.  Somehow though the pain was still great, the comfort was greater. 

While reflecting over all of this, I gaze at a picture of Yeshua Jesus’ blood stained body. The crown on his His head seems to mock Him as though the thorns which pierce His flesh represent an infinite number of individuals.  Overwhelmed with gratitude I exclaim  “Oh Lord, that I could only have been there to comfort You.”   To which He quickly responds in my heart “You can. Kneel down before Me.”   

In that instant  I realize that every time I kneel, not just physically, but by humbling myself before Him, I bring joy and in a very real sense, comfort to my God and Savior. When I kneel before my Maker in humility, He teaches me how to deal humbly with my fellow man.  Perhaps that is what is missing in the world today. In fact.....what happened to kneeling in church?  This is a topic best left for another day I suppose.

Following is what I believe to be  a prophetic line in the beloved song “I can only imagine. I submit to you that it asks a very poignant question.

“Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall?”

Avinu (Father)by the power of your Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) please help me to learn how to kneel reverently and humbly in Your presence and not stand in my own strength. In the mighty name of Yeshua Jesus. Amane(amen)