SHOW ME THY GLORY
When electricity became available in remote rural areas -- one woman went to great trouble & expense to have electricity installed in her home.
A few months after the wiring was installed & the power was turned on; the company noticed that the home didn't use very much power.
Fearing that there was a problem they sent a meter reader to check.
The reader saw that the power was indeed working properly -- & so asked the woman: -- "Do you use your electricity?"
The woman replied: -- "Of course we do. -- We turn it on every night to see -- so we can light our lamps -- & then we turn it off."
Now doesn't that just sound ridiculous?
Having all of the power that you need & the ability to tap it all of the time -- but only using it just enough to "get by."
We would never do anything like that -- because it just wouldn't make sense.
However -- we do exactly the same thing a great deal when we apply the same reasoning to the power & the presence of God in our lives.
We go out of our way to go to church & to worship -- but have little relationship with God through the week.
We go through difficulties day after day -- & only when we come to the end of our strength do we ask for God's help.
We have the power of God at our disposal all of the time -- but yet we attempt to get by on our own strength everyday.
We are a lot more like the woman who wouldn't use her electricity than we would like to admit.
We need to experience the presence of God to experience His power.
Just like electricity -- when we ignore the presence of God in our lives; --we also remove the power of God in our lives.
In the Old Testament Book of Exodus 33:12-23 -- we observe an intriguing conversation between Moses & the Lord God Himself.
Moses had been given a very difficult assignment by the Lord.
His duty was to lead a rebellious -- self-centered -- stubborn -- & stiff-necked people through a desert to the promise land.
To get this job accomplished -- Moses needed a close relationship with the Lord.
What we are privileged to witness in this passage is a very intimate conversation taking place between God & Moses.
Moses needed something extra from the Lord if he is to continue to lead these rebellious people -- & so he asks the Lord to show him His glory!
Let's listen in as God & Moses talk to each other -- much like two close friends would talk with one another!
That is what true prayer is -- you know!
You & God talking to each other as "friend with friend."
That's why the hymn writer -- Fanny Crosby -- wrote: --
Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer & with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend.
Exodus 33:12-23 -- (NIV)
Moses said to the Lord, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people'
but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.
You have said, 'I know you by name & you have found favor with me.'
If I have found favor in your eyes, teach me your ways
so I may know you & continue to find favor with you.
Remember that this nation is your people."
The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, & I will give you rest."
Then Moses said to Him, "If your presence does not go with us,
do not send us up from here."
Let's pause there for a moment -- & consider what Moses has just said.
Moses
says to the Lord: -- "You have been telling me, 'take these people up to the
And the Lord replies -- "My presence will go with you, Moses. -- I will give you rest -- everything will be fine for you."
Moses -- almost as if he is interrupting the conversation -- says: -- "Hay, if your presence does not go with us -- do not bring us up from here."
In other words -- "If your presence doesn't take the lead here -- call this trip off right now! -- I do not want to go one step further -- if your presence is not with me. -- If you don't go with us personally -- don't let us move a step from this place. "
Moses preferred to die where he was -- than to go one step without the presence of God!
That is how much the Presence of God meant to Moses!
How much does the Presence of God mean to you?
The Presence of God makes all the difference in the world!
No wonder the Psalmist said: -- "In thy presence is the fullness of joy."
"In His Presence -- there is comfort -- there is peace.
When we seek the Father's heart
We will find such blest assurance --
In the presence -- in the presence of the Lord!"
The Presence of God makes all the difference in the world!
When I come to church -- I want to feel the presence of God!
Unless we sense His divine presence -- our gathering is just another meeting; -- it is just religious activity; -- it is only a form of godliness; -- it has no real substance; -- we are just going through the motions; -- we might as well have stayed at home.
When it comes to my personal life -- I need to feel the presence of God!
I want to know that God is with me -- moment by moment!
I want to enjoy His presence in my daily life!
For in His presence there is the fullness of joy.
Life is not really worth living if I cannot enjoy the presence of God!
To live -- moment by moment -- conscious of the Lord's presence -- is the key to Christian living!
If you are living in the presence of the Lord -- then success cannot spoil you.
If you are living in the presence of the Lord -- neither will the trials get you down!
Well -- let's continue with our Scripture lesson: -- Exodus 33:16
"How will anyone know that you are pleased with me --
& with your people unless you go with us?
What else will distinguish me & your people
from all the other people on the face of the earth?"
And the Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked,
because I am pleased with you & I know you by name."
Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory."
And the Lord said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you,
& I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence.
I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,
& I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
But," he said, "you cannot see my face,
for no one may see me & live."
Then the Lord said, "There is a place near me
where you may stand on a rock.
When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock
& cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
Then I will remove my hand & you will see my back;
but my face must not be seen."
Wow! -- Can you imagine that? -- Moses is praying in verse 18: -- "God, just reveal yourself to me! -- Show me your glory! -- Let me see your glorious presence. -- Please Lord, let me see your glory!"
Let's spend some time together in this passage as we consider the thought -- "Show me Thy glory!"
1. It was a Bold Request!
That was a large request! -- Moses could not have asked for more! "I beseech thee, show me thy glory!"
It was great faith which made
Abraham go into the plain to offer up intercession for a guilty city like
Far too often -- we pray a different sort of prayer! We either think -- or we say it: -- "Lord, just show me that you are really God! -- If you would just see to it that I win the $10,000,000 Sweepstakes -- then I would know beyond any doubt that you are really God." Mankind has always made demands of God! "God -- just zap me with a divine lightening bolt -- & make me instantly pure & holy -- so that I would never think evil thoughts -- or say bad words again." "God -- just heal all the people that I know who are sick.-- Just perform some miracles -- & we will know beyond any doubt that it is you." But with Moses -- it was so different in its tone! Moses had a heart to know & to experience God in a deeper & more profound way! Moses knew that the Nation of Israel could not meet his personal need. Moses knew that just working on his leadership skills would not meet his inner most need. Moses knew that only God can truly satisfy the deep longing of the human heart! And Moses knew that the best cure for discouragement -- dryness -- & disillusionment is a fresh glimpse of who God is -- & what God is all about.
In this passage -- Moses mentions four areas where he desires to know God better & more intimately! -- Look at them with me: --
a. Moses wants to know God's ways better! -- Verse 13 -- "Teach me your ways so I may know you." Moses wants to better understand the way God operates so that he might serve God better.
b. Moses wants to know God's Person better! -- Verse 13 -- "... so I may know you & continue to find favor with you." Moses wants to better understand the Person of God so that he might enjoy a deeper fellowship with God.
c. Moses wants to know God's Presence better! -- Verse 15 -- "If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." Moses wants a clearer manifestation of God's Presence so that he might follow God closer.
d. Moses wants to know God's Glory better! -- Verse 18 -- "Show me your glory." Moses wants to see the glory of God so that he will be moved to a deeper relationship in his worship life. I don't know about you this morning -- but I have been praying lately for a greater sense of God's presence & glory in my personal life -- & in the life of our church here at Wynne Chapel!
It seems to me that what Moses is praying for is a revival! Revival is close when we possess a sincere desire to know God's way so we can better serve Him; -- when we have a desire to know God better in an ever-deepening fellowship; -- when we long for God's abiding presence to guide us day by day; -- when we want nothing more than to see the glory of God revealed so that God might receive the worship & the praise that He is worthy of receiving. Moses' request boils down to a request for genuine revival!
Not everyone wants to experience this kind of a movement of God! When the Lord begins to move in a life or in a church -- He has a way of rooting out sin -- selfishness & hypocrisy. Many are afraid of a real movement of God! -- But -- for those who desire it & who are willing to seek it -- it will change their lives forever! I wonder -- how many here this morning are hungry to see the Lord move in these days? How many are willing to spend time in prayer -- seeking the Lord's face until He comes in a genuine revival -- where His glory is revealed & His power is demonstrated? -- We need genuine revival today! In fact -- I believe it is the only hope for our personal life -- & for our church -- & for our county!
It was a bold request from Moses -- & it is a bold request from you -- but God invites us to -- "come boldly unto the throne of grace -- that we may obtain mercy -- & find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).
Like Moses -- wouldn't you come boldly before God's throne today -- & sincerely pray -- "Lord, show me your glory! -- Allow me to experience your glorious presence in a new & vivid way in my life personally -- & in the life of my church!"
2. Having looked at the Bold Request -- let's
see secondly the Balanced Response!
When Moses prayed to see God's Glory -- the Lord replied: -- as seen in verse 19 -- "Moses, the first thing we need to get straight is that I am going to do this my way -- not yours. -- I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. -- I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."
God does not deny Moses' request; -- God is just saying -- "I will do this my way -- not your way." -- He is still the Sovereign God! God doesn't always do things the way we expect Him too -- but God does do things in His own way & in His own timing! And there is always a balanced response when we leave things in God's almighty & all wise hands!
I've had people come to me across the years -- demanding that judgment be pronounced upon certain people & upon certain things! I've discovered it is far better to pray about such matters -- & leave them in God's hands -- & let Him deal with people & situations in His balanced response. -- God's ways are so much better than our way!
I love a story told by Ralph Craddock. In one of his lectures he tells about a time when he says that God revealed Himself in a very special way. Craddock said that he was riding in the non-smoking section of an airplane some years ago -- where he always sat. While he was sitting there -- a man across the aisle lit up one of these long black cigar type cigarettes -- & started puffing away -- & blowing smoke into the air.
Just then this lovely stewardess came by -- & Craddock motioned to her & asked: -- "Isn't this the non-smoking section?" -- She said: "Yes, it is."
He said: -- "Well, the man across the aisle is smoking." She looked over & said: -- "He sure is." Craddock asked: -- "Could you do something about it?" So she went over & politely said: -- "Sir, this is the non-smoking section. Would you mind moving back to the smoking section? -- There are plenty of seats back there."
The guy just took a big drag on his cigarette -- blew smoke right into her face -- & defiantly stayed in his seat. She turned back to Craddock & shrugged her shoulders like -- "What do I do now?"
And he shrugged his shoulders like: -- "I don't know what you do now. You're in charge." He said that then this very beautiful stewardess turned around & goes to the back of the plane. He thought maybe she was going to check with her supervisor to find out what to do next. But she didn't come back for a while -- & the longer he sat there -- the more Craddock thought -- "Maybe I ought to tell that man what I think!" When the stewardess did come back she had a full tray of soft drinks & peanuts & was passing them out to the passengers. It was obvious that she had decided not to do anything about it at all. This guy was still puffing away & the smoke was still in the air.
Just as she got even with Craddock & the fellow who was smoking -- the plane hit an air pocket. Suddenly -- all of the drinks on that tray spilled over on that guy -- dousing out his cigarette -- splashing all over his expensive suit & tie -- & the tray ending up in his lap. "And then," -- Craddock said, "the beautiful stewardess fell into my lap." He concludes by saying: -- "Now you tell me there is no God!"
It is always better to leave things in God's hands -- than to try to do things our way!
3. Having looked at the Bold Request -- &
the Balanced Response -- finally let's take a look at The Blessed Results!
God says to Moses -- "Stand here on this rock beside me. -- As my glorious presence passes by – I will put you in the cleft of the rock & cover you with my hand until I have passed. -- Then I will remove my hand & you will see me from behind. -- But my face will not be seen" (33:21-23 NLT).
After this mountaintop experience -- Moses was never the same! No one can experience God's glorious presence -- & remain the same!
Remember Jacob at Peniel (Gen. 32:24-32)? -- After his encounter with God --
he limped on his thigh. The Lord's
Disciples were changed men by having spent time with the Lord. Saul of Tarus
was forever changed by his meeting with the Lord Jesus Christ on his way to
It is no trifling thing to stand in the presence of the God of the Universe! Isaiah the prophet spoke about an encounter with God in which he felt only like a man who was not fit to see God! It forever changed his life & his ministry!
There were some changes in Moses' life as well! The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:7 -- "that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory" (NIV). The people who saw Moses didn't see anger; -- they didn't see worry or pain -- even with the circumstances the way they were. They saw the glory of God! Oh that people today -- might see God's glory on us -- & in us!
Having gotten as close to God as Moses had -- he still hungers for more. Moses was not allowed to see God's face & live. Even the most intimate relationship with God could not bridge that gap in Moses' day. But -- John would write in his Gospel that "the Word became flesh & dwelt among us -- & we beheld His glory as the only begotten from the Father -- full of grace & truth" (John 1:14). What Moses was not allowed to behold -- we have seen in Jesus! For when we look at Jesus -- we see the face of God!
This is why God sent Jesus -- so His Son could be our Emmanuel -- God with us! The presence of God is with us here today -- because Jesus lives!
So turn on the switch! -- Let the glory of God do it's work in your heart & in your life! -- Don't go on living in the dark! Let the Light of the world -- light up your life today!
Conclusion: -- I challenge you to add to your prayer list this week -- "Lord, show me your glory."
Moses was literally asking to see God in all of His splendor -- all of His majesty -- all of His power & all of His being. He wanted to see God for all that He was & all that He is!
I too long for the glory of God to be manifested in my life personally! I want a little heaven to go to heaven in! Forget money -- forget power -- forget the strength of my youth. I can deal with an aching body -- but I can't live without God! I want an extra helping of God! -- I want to see more of His glory!
Today -- do you want to see the whole majesty of God? Do you want to experience all the power & God's glorious presence? Do you want to see God in all of His glory? This morning -- the only thing holding you back from a deeper experience with God is you! -- God wants you to know Him more better! Why not ask God today -- "Show me thy glory!
Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, Az
www.wynnechapel.org