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3500 years ago, Moses knew that the Glory of God was the issue. At a time between times, in a place between places, Moses found himself leading a brand new nation out of the womb of slavery in Egypt and into the light and breath of the
Promised Land. He knew that the only way
this momentous occasion would have any enduring meaning or significance would
require the Glorious Presence of God. In
fact, he recognized that their very survival utterly depended upon it.
Moses was convinced
that the Presence of God’s Glory was so entirely indispensable to the success
of their journey, that he established a kind of ultimatum with God: “If
your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” For Moses, this was a non-negotiable. And it was not a new concept for Moses - it
had become his life’s mantra. Forty
years earlier he had learned the hard way that trying to fulfill his destiny in
his own wisdom, strength, timing, resources (in other words - his own glory), was a lost cause. The
only thing he accomplished was his own death sentence.
And so, at his
commissioning in the burning bush encounter, Moses repeatedly insisted on
assurances that God’s Presence would be tangibly and intimately involved in the
venture to which God was calling him. “Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should
go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel
out of Egypt?’" And He said, ‘Certainly I will be with you.’”
And now, after their
spectacular deliverance from Egypt
and their encounter with God at Mount Sinai, Moses
brings the issue front and center once again by raising three very important
questions. First, what compelling
evidence is there that God knows us name?
Second, what evidence is there that we have found favor in God’s
sight? And third, what will distinguish
us from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth? For Moses, the only satisfactory answer to
these three questions would be the accompanying Presence of the Glory of God. And God agreed. “The
LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you . . .” (Exodus 33.14)
What a striking and
poignant lesson for us in the Church today!
How irresponsible of us to assume that we can go it on our own. When we imagine that we can fulfill the
commission God has given us through our own wisdom, strength, timing, resources
(in other words - our own glory) we are writing our own death sentence.
As Jesus says to the
Church in Laodicea, “Because you say, ‘I
am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not
know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise
you to buy from Me . . .” The only
remedy for this deplorable condition is found in Him and the resources that
only He can bring to the table. Apart
from Him, the cupboard is bare.
In much the same
way, Paul had some strong words for the Galatian Church:
“Are you so foolish? After beginning with
the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” The rallying prayer of the Church today must
be: “Lord, lead us forward only in the Presence of Your Glory. Please do not allow us to get a taste for any
success of our own making. For in You -
and You alone - we live and move and have our being!” You alone are our Glory!
In Jesus our King,
Pastor Scott
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