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 and you have found favor with me.' If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people."
The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and 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. 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?"
And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." Exodus 33:12-18
Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." Exodus 33:12-18
What an opportunity to be a fly on the wall of this conversation between Moses and God. Moses and the Israelite people are about to start out for the Promised Land. Up to now, Moses had been leading the people through familiar terrain. They were still comfortable, but God was about to take them to a place they had never been...unknown territory.
It was here that Moses understands that no one else can show him where to go or what to do, so he cries out to God, "teach me your ways." God informed Moses of an important strategy in leadership: Not only would God show them the way, but that His presence was actually going to go with them. Throughout the wanderings in the desert, the Israelites were reminded of the presence of God by a cloud pillar during the day and a fire pillar by night. When the cloud moved, the people would move and when the cloud stopped, they pitched their tents in that place.
I can barely think of a story more relevant to where we are at this very moment in the life of The Springs. I often think it would be nice to have a pillar of cloud to show us where to go and when to stop. But in reality, we have something better. We have the indwelling Spirit of God in us. Jesus told the disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to live with them forever and Paul wrote that our body, the followers of Christ, are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). When we are the Church, we are the habitation of the Holy Spirit. We don't need a pillar of cloud or fire to lead us. God has promised us His presence and the Holy Spirit is our beacon. We cannot forget this.
I can barely think of a story more relevant to where we are at this very moment in the life of The Springs. I often think it would be nice to have a pillar of cloud to show us where to go and when to stop. But in reality, we have something better. We have the indwelling Spirit of God in us. Jesus told the disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to live with them forever and Paul wrote that our body, the followers of Christ, are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). When we are the Church, we are the habitation of the Holy Spirit. We don't need a pillar of cloud or fire to lead us. God has promised us His presence and the Holy Spirit is our beacon. We cannot forget this.
prayTODAY::
Father, as we venture out into unknown territory, please remind us of your presence. If your presence doesn't go with us, then we might as well not even go. Keep our leaders, Cameron and Brad, focused on your ways, so they may know you and continue to find favor with you. Don't allow distraction to creep into their hearts and into their minds. Protect them and their families in these adventurous days.
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