“If the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?.. The ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. Indeed,.. what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.
“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. To this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. To this day… a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed… And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another…
“What we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 3:7-16,18; 4:5-6,8-11
After Moses received the Ten Commandments on tablets inscribed by God, he descended the mountain with shining face, unaware of the glory reflected from his encounter with the Almighty. Paul describes how that glory pales in comparison to the glory we now bear as we approach the Lord in the Holy Spirit, and then shine in our surroundings. The great hope for the Christian is that we are continually being changed from glory to glory to ready us to see our Savior face to face. On that day, there will be no need for sun or moon for light! (Exodus 31:18; 32:16; 34:29-35; Isaiah 60:19; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 21:23)
Meeting with God pierces through every attempt at secrecy and hiding, as does exposure to His word. The Lord used Moses to display the light and freedom that come from intimacy with Him, and full surrender. As we grow in Christ, His Spirit and word persist in transforming affections, purifying impulses, and smoothing rough places so we gradually, and more clearly, reflect His character. He cleans the glass of our countenance and makes flowers bloom in our behavior, so His glory is borne for others to see. (Hebrews 4:12)
What habits and personality pets need unveiling before God, so He can refine? How is He using trials to make us more like Him?
Lord, bear out of my communion with You, and all worldly interaction or affliction, a glory that exemplifies You alone.
As the rain and snow 