Do you remember the story of Moses and the burning bush? When Moses saw the bush on fire and not being consumed, he wondered why the bush did not burn up. As he walked toward the bush, the voice of God spoke to him. When God identified Himself, “Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.” (Ex 3:6) I know this was a life-changing event for Moses. He was not ignorant about God, yet never considered himself as a deliverer sent from God. He underestimated his abilities to do what God was asking him to do. However, Moses believed what God said to him, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (Ex 3:12)
Reassurance from God always strengthens our resolve. So, how big, how large, how powerful is our God? We, like Moses, always seem to need reassurance that God is with us. In Exodus 33, Moses seeks the same reassurance from God that HE would go with him and the Israelites to the Promised Land. Moses asked to see God’s glorious presence.
“19 The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh,before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. 20 But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” 21 The Lord continued, “Look, stand near me on this rock. 22 As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.”
Moses stood in a small crevice of a rock and God covered him with His hand. That was a very large hand. He felt the hand of God, the warmth and reassurance from the presence of God. Moses witnessed what was most important and still important today: God’s goodness, His name and the promise that HE will show mercy and compassion to whomever He wants to. We have received that promise. GOD IS WITH US!
