5 Minute Read

TODAY’S BIBLE READING:

Exodus 32:1–33:23
Matthew 26:69–27:14
Psalm 33:1-11
Proverbs 8:33-36

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Exodus 33:13 (CSB): “Then Moses said, ‘Please, let me see your glory.'”

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

We’ve heard it over and over before. “Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.”

But, while so many Christians would give a mental assent to the veracity of that statement, they don’t live out its truth.

They know about Jesus. But, they don’t really know Jesus. There is a clear relationship vacuum.

Moses’ example and the craving of his heart testify to the facts that: 1) he wanted to enjoy relationship with his God and 2) God enjoyed the relationship with him.

In today’s reading, we came across some remarkable verses that speak volumes about the relationship between Moses and the Lord.

Exodus 33:9-11 (CSB): “When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance to the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses. As all the people saw the pillar of cloud remaining at the entrance to the tent, they would stand up, then bow in worship, each one at the door of his tent. The LORD would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend, then Moses would return to the camp…”

The God of all Creation, the One who is so infinitely powerful that He created all things with simply a word (Genesis 1), the One who is so massive that the heavens themselves cannot contain Him (1 Kings 8:27), the One who is so infinitely holy that He cannot look upon sin (Habakkuk 1:13), this God is the One who came down to the tent of meeting to enjoy relationship with the flawed and feeble man, Moses!

Talk about grace!

God enabled Moses to enjoy a relationship with Him that would have been so satisfying to Moses’ soul. That relationship would have filled him with indescribable happiness as he realized the magnitude of the divine relationship that he was invited into.

But, Moses wasn’t satisfied. He wanted more. That’s why he made such a bold request to God. He wanted to enjoy His God on an even deeper level.

Exodus 33:18 (CSB): “Then Moses said, ‘Please, let me see your glory.'”

Moses essentially said: “God, I want to experience more of You. I want to see the essence of who You are. I want to be brought into Your presence in a way that enables me to see all of Your incredible greatness. Lord, I love that You speak with me as a friend … but I want to experience even more of You.”

It’s as if Moses was a kid in a candy store. He had enjoyed the delicious delights of a few of the candies … but he wanted more.

So, how did God respond? Did God reprimand Moses? Did God say that Moses wasn’t worthy of such a profound request?

Nope.

If you read the following verses, God told Moses He would grant the request (Exodus 33:19-34:3). In the next chapter, we read of the actual experience (Exodus 34:4-8).

Friend, God wants us to enjoy Him!

Psalm 37:4 (CSB): “Take delight in the LORD…”

Further, God wants to enjoy us. He invites us into relationship with Him.

John 15:15 (CSB): “I (Jesus) do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.”

Friend, being a follower-of-Jesus isn’t simply about obedience. To be sure, if we are truly God-followers, we are going to continually familiarize ourselves with His Word (the Bible) and strive to live in compliance with it (in the power of the Holy Spirit).

But, following Jesus isn’t simply about trying to be good. It’s really about a relationship. God has invited us into a relationship that can be enjoyed in this life and will get exponentially better when we arrive in Heaven.

So follow Moses’ example. Don’t be satisfied with knowing about Jesus. Desire to actually know and experience Him. He wants to be known and enjoyed by you.

John 17:3 (CSB): “This is eternal life (the essence of salvation): that they may know (experientially) you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.”
(Parenthetical references added.)

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