Reading: Exodus 33

Scripture

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:14-16 (NIV)

Observations

The thing that distinguished the people of Israel from all the other people on the face of the earth was that God was with them. “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” The same is true of me, and of God's people today. His Presence is with me. I am not a lone man crying out to a distant God. I live in his Presence. His Presence lives in me. His goodness and mercy is with me every single day of my life. And having come in to the very Presence of God, the thought of his absence makes me absolutely desperate to stay in this wonderful place in which I find myself.

Application

After going to the tent of meeting, “Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” I don't want to leave either. Can I just stay here, Lord? “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” Holy Spirit, I long for you to be constantly present in my conscious thoughts. I want to stay in that place of obedience, with heart wide open, enjoying the closeness of spirit that comes when everything that is within me is laid wide open before you.

Prayer

Take me deeper Father into your presence. Please allow me to know your goodness and your holiness and majesty more than I have known before. I want to draw nearer to you, and be able to just stay in that wonderfully privileged place – your very Presence.