Experience the glory of God!
January
28 Bible Reading: Exodus Chapters 31-33
Experience the glory of God!
After the children of Israel were punished for worshipping the golden calf through the death of three thousand men (Exodus 32:28), we read in the ensuing chapter that Moses has an intimate encounter with God. In the tabernacle of meeting, God speaks to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend (Exodus 33:9-11). During this conversation, Moses asks God for two very important things that we also need to ask God everyday in our life:
- First, Moses asks God to show him the way to the Promised Land (Exodus 33:13). God should be the navigator for the onward journey. In reply, God promises His presence to go with Moses and the children of Israel (Exodus 33:14-17). We are also traveling on a spiritual journey to our Promised Land called Heaven, which is behind the veil. Let us ask God to show us the way everyday so that we do not get distracted or get diverted or get lost in the way. We can hold on to a similar promise from God in Matthew 28:20 "...I am with you always, even to the end of the age". This is reiterated in Hebrews 13:5: For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake
you."
- Second, Moses asks God to show him His glory (Exodus 33:18). In reply, this is what God tells Moses: "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen." (Exodus 33:21-23). There is something so wonderful we see here. All Moses did was to ask. God did the rest. God gave Moses a place to stand, and placed him in a cleft. God covered Moses with His hand. God passed by in front of Moses, and God revealed Himself.
Here’s a spiritual application for us. When we ask, we receive (Matthew 7:7). God has placed us on the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ (Psalms 40:2), and has given us a cleft, His grace. He has covered us with His pierced Hand, and equipped us for an eternal relationship with Him.
Let us join with the Psalmist in seeking Him and thirsting for His presence and glory. “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory” (Psalms 63:1-2). Let us experience the glory of God, even today!
