September 1, 2016 – Exodus 33:18-19

Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.” The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. Exodus 33:18-19Who is this Moses, who would ask to see God’s Glory.  He was the grown up man, hidden in the bulrushes to escape being killed, and found by Pharaoh’s daughter.  She raised him as her son, a Prince of Egypt. When he grew up, he killed an Egyptian and ran away.  He worked as a shepherd in Midian for 40 years.  He was 80 years old when God appeared to Moses in a burning bush, and told Him to free the Israelites from slavery.He led the children away from Egypt, crossing the Red Sea on dry land, led, not by a GPS or a map on a phone, but a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day God sent.  God loved the Children of Israel, and performed miracle after miracle along the way.  Yet, they turned away from God and did not worship Him.  Moses was discouraged.  God said –“Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt.”Moses wanted to see if God is still with him and asked to see God’s Glory.  We have a whole world of God’s Glory to look upon all around us.  Miracle after miracle, beginning with the birth of a tiny baby.  We see God’s glory in the sun, the moon and the stars.  We see God’s glory as a leaf turns brilliantly colored by the season fall.  Most of all, we see God’s glory when we hear a gentle word, see a kind act, and know love, for God is Love and sent Jesus to guide us through this land.When we choose to love God with our whole heart, soul and mind, we love Jesus. We will see and know Him as He is. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.  I Corinthians 13:12“But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” The Lord continued, “Look, stand near me on this rock. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.” Exodus 33:20-22