So You Want To See God’s Glory

(Exodus 33:15-20) “Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 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?” And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Moses wanted some visible sign of God’s presence.  He asked to see God’s glory.  God said that He would reveal His goodness and His name would be proclaimed.  He said Moses would not survive if God revealed Himself in full.  I was thinking about that this weekend.  If we saw God in His fullness that would include judgement for our sins and we would surely die.  Man cannot stand and face God on his own and survive the encounter. (Romans 3:23) “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

God showed Moses His goodness but even then, had to hide Moses in the cleft of a rock as He passed by.  God has revealed His goodness to us as well – through His Son – Jesus.  Without Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross we would be subject to the wrath of God.  That is the thought for today. Think about who God is – who you are – and the great gift redemption through Jesus.  “Redeemed how I love to proclaim it – redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!” 

We are facing Christmas – everyone talking about how much money will be spent – how much debt will be incurred -  our culture has pulled Jesus out of the celebration – As for us - let’s remember that we are celebrating the incarnation of the Son of God – He was born so He could die for us that we might have eternal life by faith in Him.  Let His name be proclaimed in the presence of those around you.  

Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

Frances J. Crosby, 1868

Pass me not, O gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by. 

Let me at Thy throne of mercy, Find a sweet relief;

Kneeling there in deep contrition, Help my unbelief.

Refrain:

Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry,

While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.