In His Presence -- February 2, 2009

Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”
Exodus 33:15-16

Moses faced some tough times. The people he had led out of bondage had turned away from Yahweh. He had delivered them with great miracles, but all it had taken was just under forty days for them to fall away. While Moses had been on the mountain to receive the covenant with their God, they had turned to another god. Even Aaron; caught up in their folly, caving into their pressure, he fashioned the god for them! Now Yahweh was sending them into the Promised Land but He wasn’t going with them! He would destroy them in their rebellion if He went.

Moses knew it was God’s presence that made them different than all other people groups on the earth. He told God, “If You don’t go with us then we might as well stay here.” Otherwise, what would be the difference between them and the other nations around them? Other nations had risen to greatness by conquering lands. Other nations had become famous for some technology or art. Some were even known for their religious practices, but no other people had the Presence WITH them. This was the only distinction to make them truly separate from all other people on the face of the earth.

It is the same with us today. Many have done great things. They are famous for their great acts. The only true distinction we have as God’s people is His Presence. That is all we have. That’s it. Him. If God’s Presence doesn’t accompany us, what will be the difference between us collectively with every other mutual interest group on the planet? If His Presence isn’t with us, what will be the difference between us individually and every other hard worker in our employers’ company? We stand with Moses saying, “If You don’t go with me today, not much is really going matter,”

Fortunately, Jesus has promised to stay with us until the end. Each believer needs to remember that what we have to offer is greater than our skill-set, personality, and competence. We have the Presence of Jesus to bring to the situation. He is our true gift to those around us. He is what sets us apart from the crowd. It is the Presence that people need exposed to change their life. Our clever argument or charming personality won’t perform the deep healing folks need in their souls. As we go through the day let’s make sure we are exposing people to Jesus as well as ourselves.

With Him,

Pastor Jason