I stared at this cloud as we drove down I-65 south. It appeared somewhere in Alabama. It looked as if I could run into that field and jump up and touch it. The presence of this cloud overpowered the sky. My mind wandered to what the clouds will look like when Jesus returns to earth. Then I thought about the Israelites in the Old Testament and the cloud that guided them by day (Exodus 13). My mind landed on Exodus 33:12-23, something I read a week ago.
Moses and GOD had this conversation about journeying to the Promised Land. Moses made sure he understood what God told him to do, but “reminds” God that HE has yet to reveal whom HE will send with him.
“The Lord replied, ‘I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.’
Then Moses said, ‘If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that You look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For Your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.’
The Lord replied to Moses, ‘I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name’ ” (Exodus 33:14-17).
The way I read this scene, either Moses had a hearing problem or he wasn’t certain about Who God really is and what HE said was true. If I were in Moses sandals, I’d probably ask the same questions. Will You really go with me? I mean, my reputation is on the line.
Moreover, God is HIS graciousness says again, Yes I will go with you, Moses, and will do what you’re asked. I not only look on you with favor, I know you.
Moses looked for God to say, So-And-So will go with you. They are more equipped than you are and will help you complete the task. Instead, God informs Moses that HE HIMSELF, the I AM will go with him. I wonder if God wanted to say, AM I not enough?
Think about it, earlier in the book of Exodus, Moses had experienced God’s Mighty Power in the parting of the Red Sea. Then he saw His Provision through water from a rock in the desert and manna (food) provided each morning. Still, Moses questioned if GOD would truly go with him/them.
If you read the rest of that chapter, Moses becomes bold and asks God to show him HIS glory. God showed him exactly that, yet HE did it and still spared Moses’ life. Wow!
I don’t know about you, but this scene challenges me. I look at the amazing things God has already done and think, Why am I still asking if HE will really go with me or if HE is enough? Don’t I trust HIM? Remember, HE said, “Don’t be afraid for I AM with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I AM your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NLT).
As you put yourself in that photo, where are you with God? Driving past HIS presence headed toward the next destination? Are you a kid who stopped to run in that field and try to jump and touch the cloud? Maybe you want to stop for a while and marvel at Who HE is and allow yourself to be overwhelmed. Are you taking bold steps toward God?
Regardless of where you are with God, HE knows you by name and desires to show you more of Who HE is if you will only ask.
What does that look like today?
join in on the fun
I want you to come with me on this tandem living journey. Follow this blog by signing up on my new blog site: https://tandemliving.wordpress.com