Devotion: We Will All Witness the Glory of God
Habakkuk 2:14 (NIV)
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the
LORD as the waters cover the sea."
Introduction
In a world marred by injustice and
suffering, the prophet Habakkuk cried out to God, yearning for answers. God
responded not just with judgment on the wicked but with a breathtaking promise:
His glory will saturate the earth so completely that every creature, every
landscape, and every heart will know Him. This vision doesn’t just speak of
a future event—it invites us to live today with eternal perspective and hope.
Unpacking the Promise
1. "As Waters Cover the
Sea": A Picture of Completeness
The sea is not partly covered by
water—it is water through and through. This imagery paints the depth and
totality of the future reality: every corner of creation will be saturated
with the knowledge of God's glory. No culture, people group, or piece of
history will be left untouched. This is a divine guarantee (see Isaiah 55:11):
what God has spoken, He will surely fulfill.
2. All Creation Will Bow
This promise isn’t just about
humanity’s awareness. Mountains, rivers, animals, and skies will echo the
glory of their Creator (Psalm 98:7–9). Creation, which now groans under sin
and decay (Romans 8:22), will one day rejoice in glorious freedom. Until then,
how we treat the earth matters—it anticipates the coming restoration and honors
the One who made it.
3. No More Seeking, Only
Knowing
There will come a time when people
won’t argue about God’s existence or grope in spiritual darkness. His
majesty will be as undeniable as the noonday sun. The search for meaning
will end in His radiant presence. Our task today is to live as previews of
that reality—people whose lives reflect the glory we proclaim is coming.
4. Human Glory Fades; Divine
Glory Endures
Right before this verse, Habakkuk
2:13 reminds us of the futility of human ambition: “Has not the LORD
Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the
nations exhaust themselves for nothing?” Our self-made kingdoms—careers,
accolades, empires—are fragile. But this is also mercy: God lovingly clears
away what is temporary so He can replace it with what endures—His
righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17). His glory isn’t competitive
with ours—it liberates us from the pressure to build our own.
Application Questions
- Surrender: What “kingdoms” are you building
(career, reputation, possessions) that might be distracting you from
seeking God’s glory first?
- Awareness: How can you become more sensitive
to recognizing God’s glory in the beauty of creation and moments of daily
grace?
- Witness: If God’s presence will one day be
universally undeniable, how should this shape your posture toward
skeptics, doubters, or the indifferent now?
- Hope: When have you seen glimpses of God’s
glory break through seasons of despair? How does that memory give you
courage today?
A Short Prayer
Father, Your glory outshines
every human achievement. Forgive us for clinging to what will pass away. Help
us see Your fingerprints in creation and Your faithfulness in history. May we
live as faithful witnesses of Your coming kingdom, where every heart will know
You. Maranatha—come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Closing Thought
Habakkuk’s story began with
confusion and complaint, but it ended in worship and confidence (Habakkuk
3:18–19). So can ours. However dark today seems, fix your eyes on the
unshakable promise: God’s glory will prevail. Live in its light, and
help others see it.
p.s. This post is the integration
from ChatGPT and DeepSeek to my prompt:
Improve and complete the following devotion:
We will All Witness the Glory of God
Habakkuk 2:14 NIV
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the
glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
#1 as waters cover sea means completely
#2 So, all the earth, not just human beings, but all
creation, will know God and His glory.
#3 People don't have to seek God or argue about whether
there is a God. They know God
#4 The preceding verse 13 the glory of people's efforts are
all burnt up as the glory of God comes.
They witnessed the power of God and had to acknowledge Him
as God.
Application Questions
A Short prayer
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