Reading: Exodus 33:12-23
"Mom, what does God look like?" It was one of those questions that my five year old asks which stumps me a little. My prayer for wisdom wasn't brief enough before my three year old chimed in behind her big sister, "Yeah, what does God look like?" "Well, honey, I believe He looks like us because when the Bible describes God making man it says He made us in His image." Silence . . . did that take care of the question? Not likely, "Then can we see His face?" This was my three year old again. "Actually we can't see His face, but Moses was allowed to see God from behind." That gave my oldest one enough time to come up with her next question, "But we can talk to God any time, right?" "Yes, dear, when we pray we are talking to God and you can do that at any time." Then the youngest one started it, the dreaded never ending question that comes from this age group - "Why?" And that was when I prayed another prayer for wisdom. How was I going to explain this one to a five year old and three year old beyond the point I have already explained!! "Dear Lord, help me out here - I don't know what to tell them!!" As I was at the end of praying this to myself, He sent in the pinch hitter. The oldest one tells the youngest one, "It doesn't matter if we can see His face, sister, because we can talk to Him at any time." Whew, that was enough!! They were both satisfied with their conclusion and so was I. Any time. Have you ever thought about it? We can talk to God at any time. How exciting!! In the last blog we talked about entering in God's presence and that brought up more indepth questions in my mind about requesting God's presence. Talking to God continually and asking Him to guide us; requesting that He never leave us. This is what Moses did when He went into the Tent of Meeting. He petitioned the Lord on behalf of all the people. The Lord had already told Moses earlier in verse three of this chapter to lead His people up into the land of milk and honey, the land that He had promised them. Yet, He would not go with them because they are stubborn people; and if He did, He would surely destroy them along the way.
What a thought? Going on without the Almighty!! I couldn't fathom it and it seems that neither could Moses. I love Moses' frankness and I feel this is how God wants us to be also. Moses basically tells God, "Lord, You told me to lead these people to the Promised Land. You told me that You know me by name and look favorably on me. Well Lord, if this is true then I must request Your presence. I really want to understand Your ways. Let me do so Lord so I may enjoy You more fully. And don't forget Lord that these are Your people."(Paraphrase of Exodus 33:12-13) Wow!! Moses really just laid it on the line. Respectfully, he told the Lord how he felt and how he longed for the presence of the Lord to go with them. Not only because the Lord found favor in him, but because he wanted to understand the Lord and continue to enjoy His favor.
Are you requesting the Presence of the Lord to be with you continually? Are you respectfully and boldly approaching the throne of God saying, "Lord I want to understand Your ways and enjoy Your favor?"
As the Lord told Moses, we can't see His face. But as my little ones concluded, it doesn't matter, because we can talk to Him at any time. And in talking to Him we can request His presence being reassured that He will be there to guide us along the way.
Prayer: Lord, help me to seek You and Your presence. When I have sinned and moved away from Your presence, guide me back so I can enjoy Your favor. All this I ask as Jesus would. Amen.
