Scripture:
Exodus 33:18 Moses said, “Please, show me Your glory.”
Observation:
Moses has seen the burning bush, the signs and ten plagues of Egypt, the pillars of fire and cloud, mana from heaven, and water from the rock, but this didn’t satisfy his longing. He didn’t want to see what God did, he wanted to see and know God Himself. Most of us would be satisfied with the blessings that fill our bellies and meet our needs. Many seek His hand, very few seek His face. Moses would only be satisfied with God – personally and intimately. He didn’t just want what God had to offer him, he wanted God’s presence and know His heart, mind, and soul.
Are you seeking God to get greater access to His blessings and benefits, or are you seeking Him for who He is – to fear, know, love, and obey Him more? What are you hungry for? Are you seeking His hand, or His face?
Application:
This is where we need God to purify our hearts and motives. This is only done in times of private prayer where we get alone with God. We enter His presence and ask Him to expose our selfishness and the areas where we have been satisfied with lesser things.
We must be like Abraham, who was grateful for the blessings of animals and land, but who saw God Himself as his reward. While we press on to our Promised Land, we must never forget that He is our Promised Land and that everything else are just types and shadows of the substance of His true glory – which can only be found in Him and Him alone.
Prayer:
Lord, I love You. Thank You for today. I bless Your name. Forgive me for the times I sought You only for what You could do for me and fell short of the real prize of Your presence and glory. Expose and purify my appetites for lesser things and my desires for lesser things. Help me to seek You, not for what You can give me, but for who You truly are. I want to know You and to be like You. Please, show me Your glory so that I may behold You, be like You, and worship You in spirit, truth, and for who You truly are. Help me to seek Your face, and not just Your hand. Amen.
Worship: