Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Exodus 33-36
What follows here may be hard to understand, but it becomes quite plain when we see the whole picture. At first God seemed simply to renew His covenant with the Israelites and promised to take them successfully into the land. He would even send an angel to go before them to ensure their safe arrival. The covenant, the same one He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,would be renewed with them and their descendants. But one key element would be missing: God’s presence. The angel would indeed go before them, but God’s own presence would not. What Israel lost in their sin was the near presence of God. As we learned Sunday night, the greatest priority for any child of God is to walk with God at all times so that he or she does not grieve the Holy Spirit.
God’s words shook the Israelites, and they began to mourn and strip themselves of their customary ornaments. Before the actual construction of the tabernacle, Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away. The tent was used to seek God’s presence. But when Moses himself went into the tent, the people watched carefully because they knew he enjoyed a unique relationship with God. In fact, God spoke to Moses face-to-face in the most intimate fashion. Subsequent men and women of God would not enjoy this kind of relationship with God. When Moses entered, the pillar of cloud stood at the entrance of the tent of meeting. During this time God spoke with Moses, and as the people beheld this, they worshiped God at a distance.
Moses asked God to clarify His relationship with him and the people. Would He go up with them personally or not? Moses wanted to know more about God, and this tells us something about Moses’ dynamic faith. Through all his adverse circumstances he grew in his faith and spiritual hunger. He wanted to know more of God’s ways so the favor of God would rest not only upon him but on his people as well. God reassured Moses that His presence would go with them.
God chose to display His glory before Moses, who would stand upon a rock to behold the sight. As God passed by, He would put Moses in a cave or small enclosure in the rock and cover Moses, therefore, Moses did not see God’s face but His back. God is so majestic, holy, and powerful, so no person could look on His face and live. Do you desire God’s presence? Do you associate the strength to live day by day with the presence of God? He is Emmanuel… “God with us!”
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to desire your presence with me.
- Lord, please help me to enjoy and desire a deep and intimate relationship with you that embraces your presence.
- Lord, please help me to realize my inadequacies to face life without your power and presence to face it. I truly need thee every hour!
Political
- Representative Bronna Kahle – District 057 – Adrian
- Representative Sheryl Kennedy – District 048 – Montrose
- Representative Beau LaFave – District 108 – Iron Mountain