The Invisible Presence (Exo 33:12-23)

I have constantly asked myself the question - what made Moses so special to God? And here lies the answer... "Now therefore, i pray thee, if i have found grace in Thy sight, show me now Thy way, that i may know Thee, that i may find grace in Thy sight: and consider that this nation is Thy people" (Exo 33:13).

There stood Moses in the gap between God's anger and God's people; further angry himself about the way the Israelites had behaved. And during that weak moment, he chose to look unto God seeking not just asking forgiveness for the people but also asking for the grace to go on dealing with them. His abject dependence on God alone is brought forth clearly here. The striking thing about this entire episode though is God's response to Him - "I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight" (Exo 33:17). Moses had found favor in God's sight for one reason alone - he sought God's presence with him (Exo 33: 15, 16a). For he realised that without God he was able to do nothing, let alone lead the people into the promised land.

For this reason God's answer is "I will make all my goodness pass before thee..." (Exo 33:19a). Truth is, that is all the glory we need upon the immediate road. His companionship means everything, because life's glory is but to feel Him near. Like when the loving wife feels that the husband is in the house and when the loving husband feels that the wife is in the house and that is everything! The joy of each other's presence is the crown of married bliss. So it is with the good Lord. When His presence is the soul's delight and 'Thou, Oh Christ art all i want'; He is well pleased with us. Not because He needs us to adore Him so, but because we choose to for who He is, even to us. Then my friend He shall show us His inheritance as it shall please Him and we shall be special to Him even as Moses (and David).