She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
This verse stood out to me because of another verse that I’ve been meditating on lately and that is Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. That phrase there according to the riches of his glory has truly helped me.
You see, that phrase according to the riches of his glory reminds me of another verse (Psalm 51:1) according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. I don’t want to belittle the mercies of God. I don’t want to take lightly our need for forgiveness; our transgressions. I know it’s serious stuff. But when I see that God can deal with us not only according to his tender mercies, but also according to the riches of his glory, something inside of me stirs and I want to know more a little more about the latter.
Dealing with us according to mercy implies that we we sin, and that we walk not according to his word, and out of his will. And thank God for his mercies. Thank God they’re new every morning. O but is there another plane to all this? According to the riches of his glory? I’m pressing on the upward way; new heights I’m gaining every day. When I perceive a difference I cannot help but think My brethren, have we graduated! It’s nothing we’ve earned nor deserved and is still according to his mercies. But (1 John 3:2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God…
It means something to be saved. I love the mercy of God in Psalm 51, but I don’t want to dwell there the rest of my life! (Luke 15:22,23) But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: Now don’t get me wrong. I know I’ll always need the mercy of God, and I know it will always be available. (1 John 1:9) He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But our salvation did not end at the cross! No, Jesus rose again! The bible says (Romans 6:4) That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. By the glory of the Father it says. And we also should walk by that; the glory. And that’s the only way we can walk it.
Lately, I’ve been hanging around Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. And I realized something the other day. I’ll just say it. I am just as much glorified as I am justified. This verse is not dealing with a future event. It’s dealing with a present state. This verse is not talking about a glorified body you will one day receive. No. Remember Paul said that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the (Romans 8:18) glory which shall be revealed in us. Not put upon us; but revealed in us. What is hidden and soon to be revealed is there already in this present time.
Praise the Lord, when I trusted Christ, his glorious righteousness was imputed unto me. I am just as much glorified as I am justified. Jesus prayed (John 17:22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them… That is right! He said that we might be presented to himself (Ephesians 5:27) a glorious church! Thank God that what’s behind this veil of flesh will soon be revealed, justified and glorified.
Now, this crown of glory? This term is also used in regards to elders and pastors (1 Peter 5:4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. This speaks to us of the judgement seat of Christ, of whom we shall all appear. And Proverbs Chapter Four is chock full warnings and encouragements with that day in sight. (Proverbs 4:18) But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Don’t you want to be on that path? (Proverbs 4:26) Ponder the path of thy feet… Don’t you want to stay on that path? (Proverbs 4:27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left…
It’s the path of the just. (Proverbs 4:18) It’s the path of the Spirit. (Romans 8:1) It’s the path of God’s perfect will. (Ephesians 5:17) It’s the path of God’s perfect work. (Ephesians 2:10) It’s the strait and narrow path. (Matthew 7:14) It’s the path that Noah walked. (Genesis 6:9) Noah walked with God. That is where I want to walk. It’s according to God’s mercy that we can be on that path and stay on that path. But according to riches of his glory, with the judgement seat of Christ before us, we can find strength and power to actually walk this path.