February 02, 2020: SOAP #3713:  Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 33:1  Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ 2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

Observation:  I wonder if too many people today would be happy with this arrangement.  Perhaps some people in the Israelite camp would have been happy for God to just send an angel.  But for Moses, this would never do.

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 33:15 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?”

Observation:  God had promised to go with them.  They were God’s people.  If God did not go with them, how would they be different than any other people.  What made them different, what gave them the edge, what made them stand out, what assured them of victory   — it was HIS Presence.

Application:   It is good to have the blessings of God.  It is good to have His favor.  It is good to have God working on my behalf.  But if I have His Presence, I have all that and more.   I have HIM!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, the same is true for you.  More than what I can do for you, more than anything I can give you, you want ME.  In being a spirit-filled, and spirit-led, true worshiper, you find in me what you are seeking. (John 4:23-24) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!