Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
Exodus 33:15-16 NIV
Moses had a tough task. The Lord called him to lead the Israelites out of slavery and into a new life of freedom — a land flowing with milk and honey.
God worked wonders to unshackle his people from Egyptian bondage, sending a series of plagues and even parting the sea during a situation that looked impossible.
Immediately after, they were stoked and sang to the Lord: “Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy” (Ex. 15:6).
But then came the wilderness, testing their patience and faith. Soon enough, their praise session turned into a pity party.
As the people continued to complain, the Lord at one point told Moses: Go ahead and have the land, but I’m out.
Moses relied on the Lord. They were friends. So he knew God’s promised land would be empty without God’s presence.
He wasn’t willing to live without an intimate, experiential awareness of the Lord. That was God’s plan for Israel … to be a people set apart, devoted to the one true God, a light to the nations.
That’s God’s plan for you, too. He wants his presence and his glory to shine through you.
Too often, though, it’s tempting to fixate on God’s gifts while forgetting that his presence is the only thing that truly matters.
Do you want God, or do you just want his benefits and blessings?
Like Moses, ask the Lord to go with you every day. Ask for greater awareness of his presence and enhanced ability to hear his voice.
Even when trials come, you can count on his guidance and trust in his faithfulness.
God is with you and for you. The Creator of galaxies knows your name. There’s no greater gift.
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Send me worthy words
:)…… lovely words
Thanks for reading, Cindy!