“How will anyone know that you look favorably on...me and your people—
if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me
apart from all other people on the earth”
Exodus 33:16
After the golden calf disaster, God told Moses that He would not travel among them but would send His angel instead. However, Moses knew that GOD’s Presence was the most important thing in life. Actually, he had set up a Tent of Meeting outside the Israelite camp where he regularly went to spend time with God. There God spoke to Moses face to face, and there Moses pleaded to know God more and to have HIS favor.
So obviously Moses insisted that God’s presence to go with them to the Promised Land. In fact, he was not willing to take one step without God at his side! After God promised to personally go with him, Moses made a most powerful declaration, “…your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”
I too long for God’s presence to mark me. Yet, I know I could never earn such a gift. I CAN, however, do as Moses did…set up my tent of meeting…I CAN make it my goal to know God better…I CAN pursue only HIS favor. And when I leave that tent each day, I CAN make the same plea…“Lord, if YOU don’t go with me, I don’t wanna leave this place!”
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