The Presence of God Is The Answer May 13, 2009
Posted by Han in : Relationship with God , trackbackExodus 33:12-23 recorded one of the closest encounters between God and man. If you take some time (do not rush) to read through this chapter, you will find the conversation between God and Moses very personal, sweet and beautiful. And it can be that close! Yes, indeed anyone who is willing can bring their relationship with God to this level of maturity and intimacy.
In their conversation Moses wanted to know if God is with him. He wanted to know whom He will send with him. He wanted God to show him His way. The task, the responsibility of delivering the Israelites out of Egypt was beyond man! Moses cannot carry it by himself, he needed God. He needed some assurance.
At this point of time you may be in the same shoe as Moses. You are under great pressure and stress. You are facing something beyond you! With the current economy meltdown, your staffs are waiting for you to bring in the business. Your company may be in the verge of closing down. Your marriage may be hitting the rock. Your family is about to breakout. Your children rebel against you. You can’t break away from that crippling bondage. You are at the dead end, end road!
Let’s learn from Moses, come to God. This is the ancient path, the old path, come back to God, talk to God, He is always there for us. In such a time like this, Moses wanted God to confirm He is with him. God did by promising His presence will be with Him.
And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
David said better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked (Psalm 84:10). Pray and spend time in the presence of God.
When you are tired, troubled, confused and lost, your mind won’t find a desirable solution. You will have mental blockage. That is why you need to come into the presence of God. Honestly this is not a time to find the answer, this is a time to let the Answer (God) finds you, this is a time to rest. When you come into the presence of God, God will give you rest and answer.
It is important to rest. Not just physically but mentally and emotionally. You can be resting on a very comfortable sofa but your mind is still having unrest. Your mind is still wondering like a bird, traveling through the sky and mountain searching for the answer. This is not rest.
God wants you to rest in Him meaning to totally let go and hand everything to Him. God wants you to have faith in Him. God wants you to believe that He is in control. God wants you to experience the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind.
And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am very pleased with you and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:17
It is at this stage of mind you are in the position to pray and ask. When faith arises from within prayer is the most powerful. God will do the very thing you have asked because He is pleased with you and know you by name.
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.” Exodus 33:19
God will also cause all His goodness to pass in front of you. Goodness - isn’t that beautiful? With what you are facing I believe your mind is so full of dark cloud, pessimism, uncertainty, hurts and impossibility. You will not dare to think about goodness but now God said that I will cause all My goodness to pass in from of you.
I believe breakthrough will come if you see, smell and think about the goodness of God – God will cause all His goodness to pass in front of you. Never mind about the terrible situation. Don’t bother about what others said. Just meditate about the goodness of God.
Think about you are signing a multi-billion contract, think about you are expanding your business to oversea in this economy downturn, think about your spouse is willing to reconcile, think about your children serving the Lord, think about achieving greater height in your life, think about having good result in your examination, think about everything that is GOOD. Yes, God will cause all His GOODNESS to pass (not behind but) in front of you.
Lastly, I personally felt that encounter where God allowed Moses to see His back when He placed him at the cleft of the mountain to be most precious and sacred. Wow, seeing the back of God.
And the LORD said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.” Exodus 33:21-23
At the end of day, it’s not just about resting, answered prayer and goodness of God though they are needed to experience breakthrough but the single most important thing (I think you would agree with me) is to have a very close, personal, and intimate encounter with God.
It is not just about the blessings and goodness of God but about God Himself. God wants to bring you and me to the next level in our relationship with Him where we can talk to Him like a friend, He can be our Father and we can be His children. Isn’t this beautiful?
Comments»
So, what about when He just plain doesn’t “show up” anymore?
I’ve known the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I know what it is for His anointing to fall as I make my way to my “prayer chair” because I got up, obediently, at 3:30 am, to meet Him there.
But, for the life of me, He doesn’t show up there anymore, no matter how hard I try to “rouse” Him.
It’s been nearly 7 years since I’ve known His sweet anointing. What about that?
Hi Sharon,
Perhaps God is speaking to you in another way…
Pls read this article - Recognizing the Voice of God.
Or is there anything outstanding in your relationship with God?