Yesterday, Pastor AJ preached a powerful message on the Glory of God. One of the key elements he highlighted was His splendor. While “splendor” is a word we recognize, it’s not one we often use in our daily conversations. As I reflected on this concept this morning, I felt compelled to explore what it truly means and how it shapes our worship, walk, and witness.

The Goal of Splendor

The Hebrew word for splendor carries the idea of a goal—a bright object in the distance, something to move toward.from which figuratively we define the word as splendor. When used this way, it describes an attribute of God. It emphasizes the need to place Him in the proper position. He is the glory of Israel or the glory of the Church. In other words, it would reveal that He is the very thing that we are to pursue. In this sense, it is God Himself—the ultimate pursuit of our lives.

There is nothing higher or greater to chase after than Him. King David declared,

“O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all” (1 Chronicles 29:11).

When we recognize God’s splendor, it reorients everything. It directs our worship, transforms our walk, and compels our witness.

Worship in the Splendor of His Holiness

David exhorts us:

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” (1 Chronicles 16:29)

True worship can’t happen until we acknowledge His holiness. The angels in Isaiah 6 repeatedly cried, “Holy, holy, holy,” as the glory of God filled the temple. This vision moved Isaiah, revealing God’s majesty and his own unworthiness.

A heart that has seen God’s splendor will be moved to worship—not out of obligation, but out of awe. We worship because He is holy, and His holiness is our goal.

A Walk Forever Changed

A pursuit of God’s holiness does not leave us unchanged. We see this clearly in Jacob’s life. In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestled with God through the night, refusing to let go until he received a blessing. When the struggle ended, Jacob declared:

“For I have seen God face to face, … yet my life has been spared.” (Genesis 32:30)

Though Jacob survived the encounter, he did not walk away the same—literally. His hip was dislocated, and from that moment on, he walked with a limp.

This is what happens when we truly meet God—our walk is forever changed. We can’t pursue the splendor of God and stay the same.

A Witness That Speaks

A life transformed by God’s splendor can’t stay silent. David proclaims in Psalm 145:

“I will speak of your splendor and glorious majesty and your wondrous works. They will proclaim the power of your awe-inspiring acts, and I will declare your greatness. They will give a testimony of your great goodness and will joyfully sing of your righteousness.” (Psalm 145:6-9)

It is not a question of if we will witness—a heart that has seen God’s splendor can’t help but speak. So why, then, do so many Christians remain silent? Have we lost sight of the glory before us? If we have genuinely seen the greatest goal worth pursuing, we would leave everything behind. We would chase after Him.

See Him. Worship Him.

See Him. Pursue Him.

See Him. Declare Him.

God’s splendor is not just something to admire—it is the pursuit of our lives. Let us worship Him in His holiness, walk in His transformation, and boldly declare His glory to the world.

Reflection:

How does recognizing God’s splendor change the way I worship?

• Do I approach worship with awe and reverence, acknowledging His holiness?

In what ways has my walk with God been transformed by encountering His glory?

• Like Jacob, has my pursuit of God left a lasting impact on my life?

Does my life naturally witness to God’s splendor?

• If I have truly seen His greatness, how am I declaring it to others?