BLESSINGS OF GOD’S PRESENCE (1)

“…MY PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU, and I will give you REST” – Exodus 33:14b

As portrayed in the Model of Moses, Believers in Christ are positioned to enjoy BLESSINGS of GOD’S PRESENCE: “And he said, “MY PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU, and I will give you REST” (Exo.33:14). God would have us experience and enjoy the wonderful Blessings of His Presence! This text describes where God promised Moses His Presence, while on the threshold of the Promised Land. Moses had been on Mount Sinai and had received the Ten Commandments which were written on tablets of stone with the Finger of God (Exo.31:18). While Moses was enjoying being in God’s Presence, rebellious Israel had grown restless and desired to have a god to worship. So, they fashioned a molten calf out of the gold rings from their ears and worshipped it (Exo.32: 1-6).

God was angry and told Moses that the people had corrupted themselves and He was determined for His wrath to burn hot against them (Exo.32: 8-10). Moses stepped into the gap, interceded and pleaded with God (Exo.32: 11-13). The Lord listened to Moses’ intercession and agreed to allow these stubborn people to enter the Promised Land, but said that His Presence would not go with them (vv.1-3). If they were satisfied with that arrangement, it would prove they only loved God’s blessings and not God Himself. On his part, by pleading with God for His Presence, Moses showed a genuine heart for God, not merely for the material and temporal blessings of the Promised Land! For him to be walking in a land that was overflowing with milk and honey, was meaningless if God’s Presence did not go with them!

Prior to these episodes, the people of Israel had been set free from Egyptian bondage, and were now trying to build a new life while journeying through the wilderness. The seasons of hardship were long and their future felt unclear. Moses was deeply concerned about trying to lead them, not knowing if he was truly up to the task. He knew that without God’s Presence in his life, it was useless for him to attempt to lead them: “…If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here” (Exo.33:15). That is: “Lord, if Your Presence is not with me, then I am not going anywhere. I won’t take a single step, unless I am assured You are with me!” In replying Moses’ request for a sign, God promised to be with him and to give him rest all the way. The Lord kept His Word by personally and providentially leading Moses and Israel.

Moses knew it was God’s Presence in Israel that set the people apart from all other nations. It was only with His Presence that they could ever truly find rest – knowing that God was going with them every step of the way. In similar vein, Believers in Christ who have learnt to abide in God’s Presence, will live, move and worship with a quiet confidence in the Lord at all times. Such persons or groups of people will experience divine order, and enjoy inexplicable peace and calmness, with no anxiety, knowing that God has everything under control! When we have God’s Presence in our lives, no matter what challenges, enemies or trials we face, we will always find peace and quiet rest in Him.

As we face the future, one truth must remain our emblem of Strength: The Lord is with us! By reason of His great Love, God has promised to abide in and with us who believe in Jesus, through the ‘forever’ Presence of His Spirit: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that he may abide with FOREVER – the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells WITH YOU and will be IN YOU” (Jh.14:16-17). As we choose to trust in Him, we shall experience His peace and rest as we journey into our tomorrow; for He has said: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” Amen” (Mt.28:20).