A Glorious Presence
Wednesday, November 22
A Glorious Presence
And Moses said to the Lord, If Your Presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here! For by what shall it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight? Is it not in Your going with us so that we are distinguished, I and Your people, from all the other people upon the face of the earth? Exodus 33:15-16
In Exodus 33, the Lord conveyed the disheartening news to His people that He wouldn’t accompany them to the Promised Land due to their “stubborn and rebellious” nature (Exodus verse 3). Distressed by this revelation, we’ve been focusing on how Moses received and responded to this news. When God eventually pledged to fulfill Moses’ request and accompany him in leading the Israelites (33:17), Moses made one more plea in verse 18 Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”
Of course, it’s not as if Moses hadn’t seen God’s glory before. After all, he had first encountered the Lord at the burning bush. He had witnessed the wonders associated with God’s deliverance of his people from Egypt, including the parting of the Red Sea. Moses had seen the pillar of cloud and fire that led the Israelites along their journey. Moses had indeed observed what the presence of God can do, but Moses also illustrates the truth that we cannot have enough of God.
The greatest saints throughout history, those who have known God more intimately than I can ever imagine, consistently speak of a deeper longing for God. Paradoxically, the presence of God profoundly satisfies and, at the same time, stirs within us an even more powerful longing for God.
As I reflect on this passage today, I am getting in touch once again with my own desire to know God more deeply and truly. Though I have seen so many wonders and experienced God’s presence in such amazing ways, I want even more to see his glory.
Reflection: How about you? Do you long to see God’s glory? How important is it to you to know God more intimately and truly than you know him today? Are you willing to pray as Moses prayed? Are you willing to start today?
Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, because of your amazing grace in my life, I have been privileged to know You and experience Your presence. I have learned who you are through the Scriptures in which you speak. I have experienced your guidance and blessing. I have been renewed through your Spirit. Most of all, I have received forgiveness through Jesus, your Son. How blessed I have been! Thank you! Amen.