Tag: distinct
Week 23–Day 1–God Go With Us!
Scripture reading for June 1: Exodus 33:13-16 “Now therefore, if I have found favor in Your sight, please show me now Your ways, that I may know You in order to find favor in Your sight. Consider too that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to Him, “If Your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people: Is it not in Your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and Your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?””
As responders it is comforting for us to know that we are not alone as we go out to serve others. First, we almost always serve in pairs or teams so that we have back-up and help to get the job done. There is accountability and the strength of teamwork that makes the job more enjoyable. The sight of multiple helpers also brings comfort to those being helped. It is an assurance that they are not alone and that many hands are tending to their trouble.
Moses was interceding to God for the nation that God called him to lead. These were difficult and sometimes rebellious people and God had threatened to leave them on their own, with just angelic support. Moses knew that God’s presence with them was a difference-maker. He asked God to show him His ways and to teach him how to lead God’s people. In response, God promised that His presence would go with them and that He would give them rest. This rest was not just sleep or recreation, but the comfort of God’s immediate presence and protection. It would take the form of a cloud of covering by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Moses then stated emphatically, that without God’s presence, he did not want to move forward from that place. He reasoned that God’s presence would mark them uniquely among all of earth’s peoples. God’s presence alone would bring provision, guidance, deliverance from enemies, and blessing eternally.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing presence marking us who believe in Jesus Christ! It is comforting to us as responders to know that we are not alone, even though we have team members. May Your presence mark us as Your people and empower us with excellence to serve. Amen.
Holy Distinction!
Scripture reading for February 13th: Exodus 32-34, Philippians 3
Key Scriptures: Exodus 33:13-16 “”Now therefore, if I have found favor in Your sight, please show me now Your ways, that I may know You in order to find favor in Your sight. Consider too that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to Him, “If Your Presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known? Is it not in Your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and Your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?””
As Moses met with God, he pleaded with God to show him His ways in order to have God’s favor and presence. God promised to go with him and give him rest. Moses knew that God’s presence was the best and only thing that would set him and God’s people apart from all others on earth. In His presence was fullness of joy and divine rest!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for making me distinct by filling me with Your Holy Spirit. Empower me today in my upward journey by showing me Your ways and giving me favor with You and those You want to reach.
Philippians 3:12-14 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”