And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you
and I know you by name.”Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” Exodus 33:17-18 NIV
Moses had a remarkable relationship with the Lord. From his birth God protected Moses from death, even when he messed up and ran away. God chose Moses for the extraordinary purpose of leading His people out of their slavery in Egypt to a land set aside for them to enjoy.
The task was not an easy one for as often happens when people get together there was negativity, complaining and whining over the long trip and lack of an abundance of food and water. The negative people seemed to infiltrate the ranks causing God to tell Moses they could still go to the Promised Land but that He would no longer go with them. (Exodus 33:1-6)
Moses wouldn’t accept this proclamation. He had grown so close to the Lord that Moses reminded Him that though stubborn and hard-headed these were God’s people and Moses couldn’t lead them without the presence of the Lord.
God relented and Moses pushed the envelope even further, asking God to show him His glory.
Would you dare request this of the Lord? Do you have such a closeness with the Lord that you know even if the answer was, “no” that you could ask whatever you wanted within God’s will and He would not be angered but instead pleased that you asked?
And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Exodus 33:19-20 NIV
God was so pleased by Moses’ desire to know Him better and draw closer to Him that the request was granted. But Moses needed to be put in a special place in order to see the glory of God. He had to be willing to do what God told him and be content with how God blessed him.
Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” Exodus 33:1-23 NIV
No one had ever dreamt of being so close to God, let alone seeing Him. Mind you this was not an angel but the very presence of God Himself. Moses was tucked away in the cleft of a rock and protected by God so that he could receive this blessing.
Blessings from God come in all shapes and sizes, often not in the way we are expecting or hoping with our earthly hearts. However God can’t bless us if we’re not open to and even seeking blessings from Him in whatever way He chooses to give them. Moses may have been expecting to see God’s glory in an entirely different way but didn’t question God’s methods. Instead he relished in the glory of God and the blessing he received, looking forward to the future whatever it held, knowing God would be with him.
I have been praying over the past few months for a difficult situation that I was certain I knew the solution to. As I prayed and sought God for resolution I received an unexpected blessing far different from I planned. It changes my perspective and leaves me wondering with anticipation what the future holds. I feel in a small way I have been placed in a cleft of a rock, waiting to see God’s glory come to pass in this situation.
Is there a situation in your life where you are desiring a blessing from God but perhaps are afraid to ask for it? If you feel unworthy, remind yourself that you are God’s child and He is pleased by blessing us. He desires to give us good things.
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11 NIV
When we come to God with a humble spirit and a heart washed clean with confession and filled with adoration for Him we can be assured just as Moses was that our request for a blessing will be met.
Seek His blessings for your life today and then be looking for them, possibly in unexpected ways. You won’t be disappointed!
blessings and peace to you today!
Paula
Paula Davis 