A Canopy of Glory

Isaiah 4:5-6- “And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and rain.” KJV

I was reading in the book of Isaiah, visiting a beloved friend, when I read this verse. Isaiah was one who understood God. He understood His majesty, His heart, His plans, His purpose, His words, His desire to know us, His desire to be known by us. He understood God. I have been known to say, “If you want to understand Jesus, read the gospel of John; but if you want to understand God, read the book of Isaiah. Sometimes I just want to read about the One who is the Lord of Glory! And tonight I want to talk a little about that glory!

The word “canopy” can be defined as “a protective covering”, and for my blog tonight, it’s the one I want to use.

In the above chapter, Isaiah is talking to Jerusalem of a time when they will be in utter desperation because of the hard times that they will experience. Hard times brought on by their sins. But then he goes on to write that the time will come when God will bring a cleansing to His people. And when they are cleansed they will be His holy people.

Now before I go any further, let me remind you that if you have been washed by the Blood of Jesus and your sins have been forgiven that you are His holy people. Peter said it like this, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you our of darkness into His marvelous light.” So now this prophetic word that Isaiah spoke to the people of Jerusalem now becomes a prophetic word for the believer.

Isaiah prophesied, that once you were made holy, the land would produce for you it’s best. And if that is not enough, Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would place a canopy (a protective covering) of His glory over His people- a cloud by day and a fire by night!

Now where have we seen this before? When the children of Israel left Egypt for the Promised Land. So here we see the Lord of Glory again promising that His Glory would be before us protecting us as it did the children of Israel! This is awesome news!

Some shocking news have come across my ears and some unusual things have been happening in the world today; and if we are not careful, fear will grip our hearts. But the prophet Isaiah encourages us with these words that once again, His glory will go before us and be behind us, and He will place a canopy of protection over us! He promises to be our shelter, our protection from the storm and rain, and even from the heat. This is wonderful news, from a wonderful savior, for His people. It was relevant then and it is surely relevant now! Thank God for His canopy of glory that is over you! Wonderful Jesus!