Friday, December 2: Scripture – Exodus 33:12-16
12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’
13 Now if I have found favor in your sight, please show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider, too, that this nation is your people.”
14 He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not bring us up from here.
16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.”
Some of my favorite scriptures are conversations between God and Moses! I love Moses’s honesty with God. Prior to today’s text Moses has come down from Mt Sinai with the 10 Commandments and found the people have created the golden calf idol. his upsets God and Moses! In Exodus 33:3 God tells Moses to take the Israelites to the land of milk and honey and tells Moses, “I will not go with you because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” In today’s verses, Moses appeals to God to change His mind. If God does not go with them “What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” (vs 16, NIV) Twice Moses asks and twice God assures Moses His presence will go with them. I am impressed by Moses’ conviction to advocate for himself and the Israelites. I am impressed with Moses’ courage in asking God to change his mind and the questions he asks God. Moses is adamant that without God’s presence, he does not want to proceed. I wonder do I want God’s presence in my life as fervently as Moses did? Moses knew he needed God for every step! Do I look to God consistently and desire His presence in all aspects of my life, or do I want control to do this life my way?
Prayer: Lord, strengthen my desire to seek out your presence daily, hourly, or in each minute and see your glory.
Susan Mobley