SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #121 ---- 5/8/00
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #121 ---- 5/8/00
TITLE: "The Presence of God -- The Place Of Leading"
My Dear Friend and Partner in Ministry:
I greet you today with the deepest urge that you be blessed beyond
anything you can imagine today. This is not just words, but a genuine
desire that every man and woman who reads my letter today will be
overwhelmed with the goodness and blessing of God, including you
personally.
Among other things, I am praying that God will give you the grace and
patience needed for this letter ---- it is a long one. I considered
dividing it, as I often have done, but just did not feel the freedom to
do so. Perhaps there is one person who needs to read it entirely in one
sitting.
So ---- thank you in advance for your kindness in receiving these words
of encouragement from the depths of my heart. You bless me so very much
every moment I think of the names of those on my mailing list; I hope
this will, in turn, bless you abundantly.
MORE VIRUS INFO:
I just learned yesterday from a fellow in the church where I serve as
interim pastor that there is yet another virus, "MOTHER'S DAY" that is
out. It apparently gives you a notice that your credit card has been
billed for a large sum of money and that you should click on the
attachment to see a copy of the invoice. When you do, the virus is
released, and it begins attacking your operating system's settings, and
apparently makes it impossible for you to boot up your computer, and does
other damage as well.
What a timely moment, in the U.S. at least, to have to deal with this.
Three very important suggestions:
1. Never open an attachment from somebody you don't know ---- just
delete them.
2. Upgrade your computer to the most recent anti-virus program you can.
3. Use great wisdom in dealing with unknown e-mails, and don't be
gullible for just any old thing that comes along.
VISION SERIES ADDENDUM:
Someone commented that last week's letter could have well been a part of
the recent "vision" series ---- and I suppose that is true. If that is
the case, then today's will likewise relate to the subject of vision.
A reader who is running behind in my letters recently wrote the following
regarding letter #115 dated March 27, 2000, which was #12 in the vision
series:
"Throughout the entire series and throughout my personal experience and
throughout everything I've ever heard from others, there is this sense
that once you get a Vision from God, you will never be the same again. .
. .
"But, in the last letter, you briefly brought something to mind I've
wondered about . . .[you said] 'Never forget, my friend, that you daily
have at your disposal the capacity to embrace again the vision or to walk
away from it. God has not forced you to seek, secure, or stay with the
vision. You can abandon it anytime you wish.'
"If a vision is such a life-changing experience ---- then HOW in the
WORLD can we turn our backs on it so easily ---- and slip back?
"That seems to be a difficulty in my life. I become enamored of the
vision ---- ready to chase it to the end of the earth ---- ready to
ascend new heights in my relationship with God (which is the most
important thing anyway), and then it all seems to fade... I begin to
wonder if the whole thing wasn't just a 'camp high' and begin to doubt
the very reality of the Word from God. That, of course, does NOTHING
healthy for the vision ---- and I end up in a pretty good spiral... Yet
the vision IS real; it IS a God-thing... And therefore He brings back
again ---- and I thrill in it again...
"...and it fades again...
"Any help?"
Several of this brother's statements trigger thoughts in my mind.
However, I briefly make the following observations before going on to
today's letter.
1. " . . . . there is this sense that once you get a Vision from God,
you will never be the same again."
I fully believe that statement ---- you are Never the same. That's
wonderful ---- but also dangerous. Dangerous because in that reality, it
is also possible that . . .
1) You may place your focus on the vision instead of the One who
created it. Even good things can become bad things when you allow your
concentration to be drawn away from God Himself.
2) You can create too many expectations of yourself, rather than on
the sufficiency of God. God, not you, will be the ultimate key to not
only the vision's fulfillment, but also the tenacity to stick with it.
3) You can fail to recognize the constant presence of the world, the
flesh, and the devil to distract, compete, interfere, or ruin. Those
things are ever with you, no matter how convinced you are of the vision.
2. " . . . . HOW in the WORLD can we turn our backs on it so easily . .
. . ?"
It seems to me that turning our backs on the vision is the real easy
part. It comes "naturally" ---- the "carnal mind is an enemy of God".
The flesh "wars against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh"
constantly. The most natural thing for a minister to do is just that
very thing.
The great thing is to realize that we can grow, as this brother
apparently has, so that when it happens, we are aware of it and can take
steps to correct it and come back to the Source of the vision ---- the
Father.
One of our biggest mistakes is thinking that somewhere down the line the
battle with the residue of the flesh and the rebellion of Satan will be
over this side of heaven.
3. " . . . . I become enamored of the vision. . . . and then it all
seems to fade... I begin to wonder if the whole thing wasn't just a
'camp high' and begin to doubt the very reality of the Word from God."
This is a "summer rerun" that Satan first showed in the Garden of Eden
(chapter three) ---- First, put us to questioning what God said, then
create confusion over the truth, and then inject deception into the
situation so that we are drawn away. Consider these thoughts . . . .
1) Becoming "enamored of the vision" is dangerous. We must be
enthralled with the Vision Maker. If we can keep our focus on Him, then
such episodes will diminish over time.
2) All visions "fade" at times. You cannot avoid that. But, even
during the darkest clouds, the vision is still there. What has happened?
Nothing more than some sort of "storm cloud" temporarily blocking the
sun ---- but the sun is always there ---- and shining.
3) The one thing that determines whether or not the "camp high" is
just that or something more is to see whether or not the vision keeps
coming back, creating a restlessness in you that nothing satisfies.
Don't worry that it goes ---- just be very concerned if it never returns.
If it's really of God, then it will return ---- someday in some way.
GOING TO THE SOURCE:
As I read through this brother's remarks several times, and then tried to
put my thoughts together for today's letter, I was reminded of Moses and
what he might have gone through trying to lead a people who tended to
both resist his leadership and abandon God's principles of life. Sounds
a little bit like pastoring a contemporary church in some situations.
In review of last week, I mentioned that there is an unmistakably clear
(1) Precedent in Scripture that man was created to live in the presence
of God, enjoying His protection, fellowship, and provision.
I went on to say that, because this relationship was broken in the Fall
of man in the Garden, that God sent the "Last Adam", Jesus Christ, to
reestablish that relationship as the (2) Pathway to living in His
Presence. I concluded by describing some of the many (3) Products that
become available and evident in our lives when we choose that intimate
relationship as a lifestyle.
You know as well as anyone, probably, that you're at your best both in
your personal life, your family relationships, and your ministry
responsibilities when you are choosing that position as your dwelling
place.
It is even more crucial to anyone who is involved in some type of
vocational or volunteer ministry of the Gospel message. And, I think
Moses is a classic example of how urgent that "dwelling place" is to be
in your life and mine.
THE PRESENCE OF GOD ---- THE PLACE OF LEADING:
Everyone has a life to live, decisions to make, problems to face, and a
ministry to carry out.
Part of that package includes difficult decisions, awkward relationships,
monumental challenges, frightening turns of events, and impossible tasks.
Moses faced such a life as the spiritual leader of God's people. He had
to keep his own family needs met, make major national decisions, deal
with people who were frightened or stubborn, and work with rebellions
people who were terrified of the future, therefore immobilized in the
present, and longing to go back to the fictitious safety of the past.
And then, he had the awesome task of challenging that group of fickle and
unpredictable people to go through the wilderness and into the land God
promised them ---- and to do it for as many as three million People!
(So, if you think your crowd is a challenge, keep Moses in mind.)
To make matters worse, he was faced not only with the enormity of the
task and the cumbersome size of the people, but he had to deal with the
reality that there was rebellion, idolatry, and other forms of sin in the
camp.
Exodus chapters 31, 32, and 33 contain the episode in question. Before
he could continue ---- before he Would continue ---- he had to be assured
of God's presence, blessing, and direction.
I see Four Important Things regarding the necessity of God's presence in
Moses' life ---- and more importantly, the necessity of Moses presencing
himself in God's presence. In preview, I see . . .
1. His Despair of Anticipating Possible Separation
2. His Desire of Possible Intervention
3. His Desperation Over Needing God's Presence
4. His Delights of an Intimate Relationship
1. HIS DESPAIR OF ANTICIPATING POSSIBLE SEPARATION
Verses 1-6 show something of Moses' dread over possible separation from
the God Who called him and Who certainly must lead him if he's to
successfully do what God has commanded. Moses remembers well the carnage
of death that had taken place hours earlier when he came to God
announcing the great sin Israel had committed in worshiping the golden
calf ---- 3,000 men were dead. (See chapter 32.)
True, Moses had pled, and had offered himself up as a sacrifice in order
to spare the people ---- but God didn't buy the offer, and vowed that the
people would indeed be punished for their sin. So Moses' heart was
filled with dread and despair over the possibilities that lay ahead ----
that God might separate Himself from His chosen people.
Why is that the case?
1). First, it was Threatened By God in verses 1-3. God Rehearsed His
Promise which He could not break in 1b-2, and then Announced His Position
which He didn't want to have in 3b ---- "I will not go up in your midst
because you are an obstinate people." Then He revealed His Power which
He would not use ---- " . . . . and I might destroy you on the way."
However, by His Grace, He also Released His Provision for them which He
dared not deny ---- celestial warriors for the terrestrial battles (vs 2)
and extraordinary bounty for their physical needs (vs 3a).
I can imagine Moses' possible state of confusion to be facing the two
sides of God's nature at the same time ---- His love, mercy, and tender
provision on the one hand, and His righteousness, justice, and
sovereignty on the other.
No wonder Moses felt a sense of despair over the possibility of God's
absence from his presence ---- especially if he were left alone to lead
such a crowd of church members!
2). Secondly, this threat of God's absence during times of leadership
was actually Caused by the People ---- they were "Obstinate" people (vs
3b). This word comes from two Hebrew words, "Quasheh", meaning fiercely
difficult, harsh, and stubborn, and "Oreph", meaning coming from the back
of the neck.
In other words ---- a "rebelliously stiff necked" group of folks to try
to lead.
We probably don't need to wonder too long about what Moses' own attitude
could have been toward such a congregation.
3). To cap it all off, though, deep in his heart I believe Moses knew
that this isolation and separation from God was also Necessary For Their
Protection ---- "lest I might destroy you on the way" (vs 3c).
It really hurts sometimes, doesn't it my friend, when you know that God
hiding Himself is not only necessary, but it is best. What horrible
moments exist in those times of darkness when God seems to have left the
scene.
4). Finally, great good came from this possible separation from God,
because that threat brought Conviction to the People ---- "When the
people heard this sad word, they went into mourning, . . . " (vs 4-6).
It is evident that this encounter with God's threatened abandonment made
a great impact on them. First, there was the reality of emotional
disappointment (vs 4a), then there was Spiritual brokenness (vs 4b) as
God went deeper into their spirits, and then He brought Divine Judgement
(vs 5) as they came, broken before Him in Obedient Repentance (vs 6).
It would have been much better if none of this had been necessary, but it
was ---- and God accomplished His purposes in it all.
2. MOSES' DESIRE FOR POSSIBLE INTERVENTION:
Verses 7-11 are spectacular demonstrations of a man who's heart has been
captured by a people he loves and by a God Who is his only source.
Whereas the threatened separation reveals something to us of God's
Nature, these verses of Moses' intercession show something of his.
1) First, look at the Special Place where they met (vs 7).
Apparently Moses had established a spiritual discipline of getting "away
from it all" when he needed those times with God. He had his own "tent
of meeting" where he and God conversed ---- and Moses learned.
What about you, friend? Do you have one?
He not only had the tent, but the place ---- outside the camp. Too many
of us have never learned that lesson. We try to meet with God while
remaining in the middle of the camp with all the hustle and bustle and
distracting sights and sounds of a people who are not together on the
same page.
We need not only the Tent, but also a place to pitch it ---- outside the
camp.
2) Then consider what happened ---- Moses gained the respect and
followship of the people because he met with God, and not because he was
a great leader. No other statement in that story has so captured my
heart as that one ---- "whenever Moses went out to the tent, that all the
people would arise and stand, each at the entrance of his [own] tent, and
gaze after Moses until he entered the tent" (vs 8).
You see, friend, Moses not only had a Special Place, but, by keeping it
in priority, he developed a Significant Testimony before the people.
I sometimes wonder ---- which would we rather be known for ---- our great
preaching, or our prayer lives? Our prayer lives will do more to make us
great leaders than our preaching will ever make great followers.
3) When Moses met with God, there was also a Supernatural Witness to
that effect (vs 9) ---- "Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of
could would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord
would speak with Moses."
That sends chills up my back, friend ---- God's Glory guarded the doorway
leading to His presence. It was a testimony both to the people and to
Moses. The people knew where Moses was and with Whom He was meeting ----
Moses knew he was where he needed to be, he was safe there, and God liked
the fact that Moses had come.
4) Then we see sort of a Spontaneous Response that came out of
meeting with God ---- Worship! (vs 10). Not just on Moses' part, but
more importantly, on the part of the people.
Oh, dear friend! When the people see holiness on your face because there
is holiness in your heart, they will be convicted and driven to their own
knees. When leaders meet with God as a regular priority, people will be
confronted by the Holy Spirit for their own sins, their own needs, and
their own responsibilities to meet with their God in their own "tent" of
meeting.
And to think that we would feel we could persuade them through any other
means!
5) Finally, you see some very Special Relationships develop from
meeting with God (vs 11). First, between Moses and God, and then between
Moses the mentor and Joshua the apprentice. Apparently the time came
when Joshua joined Moses in going to meet with God.
I wonder, friend ---- are you mentoring anyone? If not, ---- why not?
Second, what is the focus of your mentoring strategy ---- to build a
leader, or lead a man into God's presence?
The third relationship we see here is that the time came "when Moses
returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man,
would not depart from the tent." Joshua learned so much about God by
learning about Moses, that he would linger in the presence of God long
after Moses had gone back to his duties as leader of a great nation.
Wouldn't it be something to be involved in a ministry like that, friend?
To know that long after you have had your times in God's presence, your
people out stay you?
3. MOSES' DESPERATION OF NEEDING GOD'S PRESENCE:
Verses 12-13 tell us just how desperately Moses needed to be in the
presence of God as the Place of Leading. There were two great needs that
Moses had which only meeting with God could supply.
1) First, Moses needed an opportunity to Rehearse God's Call (vs 12).
In fact, when you read it, you find that Moses was apparently more than
a bit upset with God over the circumstances. I can just hear his
frustrated "venting" as he let off steam ---- "Look! You said to take
them to Canaan, but You haven't told me who's going to help me! You said
You know me by name and that I had found favor in Your sight, and yet
look at this mess! Besides that, these are Your people! Why don't You
take responsibility for them instead of me!"
An interesting digression occurs here. In 33:13 Moses tells God they are
His people, after God has spoken in 32:7 that they are Moses' people.
Been there ---- done that!
Actually, they are both. Your people, my friend, are God's people,
because He has chosen them. They are also your people, though, because
God has commissioned you! God has established Himself to be their God,
but He has also ordained you to be their leader. Get on with it.
2) Then, Moses needed God's presence also to Release His Own Fears
(vs 13) ---- fears over about four things that were to prove to be very
important in the years ahead as Moses faced up to the challenge of not
only taking them "out", but also taking them "in".
A. First, Moses needed to see the Actuality of God's Favor (vs
13a). That's why he brought up the question ---- "If I actually Have
found favor in Thy sight . . . ." It was just Moses' way of exposing his
own fear that maybe God had not found in him what He wanted, and he
might, like Paul, be discarded as a "castaway" tossed in the trash heap
of "might have beens" or "used to be's".
Ever feel that way, friend? I have ---- more than once. You see, when
you and I realize the awesomeness of the task and the sacredness of the
treasure, we are shaken by the wretchedness of our own feeble efforts and
abilities.
We need to hear God say again and again ---- "I like you; you're o.k..
You're just who I was looking for to lead these folks. Nobody else will
do ---- but you."
B. Then Moses also needed to experience the Reality of God's
Friendship (vs 13b).
I like Moses' boldness (or maybe it was his desperation) when he said,
"Let me know Your ways in order to really know You!" Moses really needed
to know that God was with him for the long haul, and that He and God were
friends. In fact, later we learn that they were indeed friends.
A profound statement is made about that relationship ---- "the children
of Israel knew the acts of God, but Moses knew the Ways of God." What a
concept! What a ministry changing truth!
C. Next, Moses needed his fears alleviated through the Assurance
of God's Promise (vs 12c, 13). God had told him this on several
occasions before, but in light of the recent developments and His ensuing
remarks, Moses needed to hear God say again ---- "I have known you by
name", and "you have found favor in my sight". He needed to hear God
say, "I will go up with you".
Nothing alleviates our fears more than hearing God's Promises afresh and
anew. If our people need to hear the "old, old story" over and over, how
much more do you and I who lead them need to hear it ---- again and
again. And especially as it pertains to our roles as ministers to these
people God has placed in our care.
D. Finally, Moses wanted his fears removed by making certain of
God's Sovereignty Over His People (vs 13d). "Consider too, this nation
is Your people." Even though God had announced they were Moses' people
in 32:7, Moses was more than thrilled to acknowledge that they really
belonged to God ---- he just wanted to make sure God knew he understood
that.
Makes me wonder if that's what God had in mind all along when He told
Moses they belonged to him.
4. MOSES' DELIGHTS OF AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP:
Verses 14-23, though extensive in content, give us insight into at least
three delightful benefits of choosing to be a leader that does his
leading from the presence of God rather than from a power generated by
status, denomination, manipulation, or some finely honed human skill.
1) We first see His Presence is to be Commended (vs 14). It is to be
commended because of . . .
A. The Radiancy of God's Face. God assured Moses by saying, "My
presence shall go with you. . ." This is interesting because the word
for "Presence" here literally means, "I myself with My Face will go
before Thee."
Now, if you remember ahead in this passage God tells Moses in 33:20 that
no one can see God's Face and live.
So ---- is this a contradiction?
Not at all.
My heart pulsates with this truth ---- the only way I can see God's face
in this life is if I'm in front of Him either confronting or going ahead
of Him. As long as I stay behind Him, in His Favor and in His Presence,
His face goes before me, leading the way, blazing the trail. The day
will come when we do see Him "face to face". In the meantime, let's
enjoy just the radiance of His face, as it lights up the pathway ahead of
us.
John 8:12 says, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not
walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of Life."
Proverbs 4:18 says, "the path of the righteous is like the light of the
dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day."
Be contented with that ---- until the big day arrives.
His Presence is also to be Commended because of . . .
B. The Sufficiency of his Favor (vs 14). God told Moses ---- "I
will give you rest". God will favor us with His rest. Not only Rest
>From our labors someday, but also Rest In our labors today.
Paul told Timothy, "The servant of the Lord shall not strive." And yet,
so often we find ourselves in that position. We have been given linen
garments of righteousness and rest to wear as priests before the Lord, so
that we won't "sweat" when serving the Lord.
So ---- "don't sweat it".
Jesus told us in Matthew "take My yoke upon you and learn of me, for I
will give you ---- Rest!"
Why is that? Because Jesus has done the work already. The writer of
Hebrews (chapter 4) made it clear that there is not only rest in the
future, but also rest in the present. When we really learn what it
means, friend, to find the presence of God as our place for leading our
people, we will discover rest in our work.
We may sweat up a storm with our outer bodies, but we will have perfect
peace and "sweatless rest" in our inner man ---- no matter how turbulent
the circumstances around us may be.
Then, His Presence is also to be Commended because of . . .
C. The Intimacy of His Fellowship. There is always fellowship
when in the presence of God. Otherwise, there would be no objective for
all else that goes on when we're in His presence. As I noted last week,
the bottom line for being in God's presence is fellowship.
No genuine service can flow from anything other than fellowship with the
Father. (I hope to write about that sometime in the next few months ----
the Favor and Flavor of Fellowship.)
While I'm not certain it is the main theme of Psalm 23, I do find
something interesting regarding David's relationship with God. I wish I
knew what happened to him between verses three and four. Throughout
verses one through three, David refers to God always as "He". But, in
verse four and for the rest of the Psalm, he changes to the word, "You"
or "Thou".
The wonderful delight of Fellowship comes from the Intimate Presence of
God.
2). Second, we see His Presence is to be Confirmed (vs 15-16) ----
confirmed in our lives in three ways.
A. First, through Holiness ---- separation from the world,
separation from sin, separation to God, separation for service. That's
what holiness is.
To those who try to build a wall between themselves and the world, I
propose that God is talking about "Insulation" rather than "Isolation".
While we are living in this world as salt and light, we must be insulated
from it's influence. This happens when we choose to meet with Him and
live in His presence.
B. Second, His presence is confirmed through Obedience. This is
always a signal proof that we have been in God's presence. Intimate
worship, communion, and instruction in God's presence will always ----
and I say Always ---- lead to obedience. If it doesn't, you have met
with the wrong god.
Once he knew God's presence would go with them, Moses said, "If your
presence does Not go with us, do Not lead us up from here " (vs 15).
In other words, Moses was saying, "God, we aren't going anywhere without
you! With you ---- anywhere! Without you ---- nowhere!"
There always comes a time in our leading from the presence of God that
the line is drawn in the sand, and the word comes out ---- obedience.
Apart from the presence of God, it is ornate performance. In the
presence of God, it is spontaneous obedience.
C. Finally, God's presence is also confirmed By His Presence (vs
16). Now, I know that sounds like a statement not thought out, but read
it again ---- God's presence is confirmed By His Presence. When He is
present, you know He is present. When you are in His presence, you know
it by His presence.
Moses knew that the one thing that would validate his leadership was the
evidentiary presence of God. He was saying, "God, your presence with us
is a Divine Testimony To the world, and a Distinguishing Mark in the
world.
So, it is no wonder that Moses would say, "For how then can it be known
that I have found favor in Your sight, I and your people? Is it not by
Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished
from all the people who are upon the face of the earth?".
Somehow we forget that we are to stand out ---- not by our self imposed
rules, our self inflicted sufferings, or our self exalting arrogance, but
by the living presence of our holy and righteous God within us, both
declaring God's Lordship over all, and distinguishing our conduct from
that of the world.
3). Finally we see God's Presence to have certain Compensation (vs
18). No one can walk with God, be in His presence, feel the Power of His
nearness, see the evidence of His blessings, without a craving insatiable
longing to see more and more of Him."
David wrote in Psalm 27:4, "One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I
shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my
life, ---- to Behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His
temple."
John 1:14 is an awesome verse ---- "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt
among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the
Father, full of grace and truth."
Paul declares in II cor 3:18, "we all, with unveiled face, beholding as
in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same
image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." How we
look forward to the day when, as Paul also declared, "we shall be like
Him", and "we shall behold him face to face!" ---- just what Moses longed
for.
And so do we.
In the meantime, we can enjoy these following compensations:
A. An appreciation for God's goodness (vs 19). Because he had
chosen to come into the presence of God to be a leader by becoming a
follower, a servant, God said, "I myself will make all My goodness pass
before you."
Why is that so important ---- to see, enjoy, and appreciate God's
goodness in your ministry? Because Goodness is the outward expression of
God's glory. Goodness is the very nature of God, and it is the very
activity of God. So, when God is good to you, thank Him rather than
trying to hinder Him by declaring yourself unworthy. Everyone already
knows that, so just enjoy His goodness!
B. An Awareness of God's Greatness (vs 19b). "[I will] proclaim
the name of the Lord before you." When God begins to bless you by
manifesting His greatness through you, you will know you are being used.
Again, my lifelong heart's desire is that my ministry would be
unexplainable apart from God. I suspect yours is the same, isn't it.
C. The Expression of God's Grace (vs 19c). "I will be gracious to
whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show
compassion". Friend, whatever else about God should be manifested to us
and then through us because we chose to be leaders residing in His
presence, it is the Grace of God.
I'm reminded of a man driving down a one way street the wrong way, with
people along the way honking their horns, shouting, and yelling
obscenities and ridicule at him. Finally one man stopped the driver and
explained his error, and then showed him a drive way where he could get
turned around.
The crowd shouted the truth. The lone man offered him grace.
Your ministry should do the same.
D. Finally, The Manifestation of His Glory (vs 18-23). "Behold,
there is a place . . . ." (vs 21)
There is a time and place when and where God shows His glory. However,
it all flows from John 1:14 ---- "And we beheld His glory, the glory as
of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (there is
grace and truth again!)".
God says, "Behold, there is a place ---- by Me ---- and you shall Stand
---- There! ---- on the Rock."
He continues, "And it will come about, that while My glory is passing by,
that I will put you in the Cleft ---- in the Cleft of The Rock ---- and
cover you with My Hand ---- until I have passed by. Then I will take My
Hand away, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen" (vs
22-23).
So follow, already!
You'll never see the manifestation of His glory as a leader, until you
are willing to Follow the One who called you ---- Follow Him To His
presence, In His presence, and Through His Presence.
FINALLY:
isn't the sequence interesting ---- and liberating!
We see Moses' Despair of Anticipating Possible Separation from God,
knowing that God has threatened to do so because of the people, and
knowing that that threat was necessary in order to protect the people
from where they were headed and bring them back to where they needed to
be in repentance.
Then, we view Moses' Desire of Possible Intervention by coming into that
special place of God's presence, probably not realizing the impact it
would have not only on the people, but on one young man in particular
---- Joshua, his very successor.
Moses certainly understood his Desperation Over Needing God's Presence.
He needed to review and rehearse God's call on his own life ---- just to
be certain ---- and he needed to Release his own fears before he would
have any chance of alleviating the fears in his people.
Finally, it really pays off as Moses enjoys some of the Delights of an
Intimate Relationship with His God ---- being compensated with the
Radiancy of God's face, the Sufficiency of God's favor, the Intimacy of
God's fellowship. Then his leadership is confirmed as God builds into
Moses' life a holiness that was genuine rather than artificial, an
expression of obedience that was a "burn all the bridges behind me" type
of obedience, and then be blessed with the very presence of God that
helped him have an Appreciation for God's goodness, experience the
Expression of His Grace, and then, though He never really saw Him face to
face, still thrill at the Manifestation of His glory.
What an awesome God we serve, my friend!
Go to Him ---- and stay in His presence ---- until your life is likewise
changed forever.
To be an effective leader of your people, you must begin where Moses did
---- in the presence of God.
Go pitch your tent ---- and wait. God is coming. He'll meet you there
---- and you'll never be the same again.
In Christ's Bond,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright May, 2000. All rights reserved.
We'd love to hear from you. Drop us a note with reports, observations,
prayer requests, etc. Address all personal correspondence to
<[email protected]> and NOT the address.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know.
__
/ |
(_/____)
/ ^ ^
{ (O) (O) }
------oOOOo--------U-------oOOOo------
Hang in there! I'm with you!
-------.oooo0--------------- Ooooo--------
( ) /
| | /
(_) (_)
TO SUBSCRIBE, send any message to <[email protected]>.
TO UNSUBSCRIBE, send any message to
<[email protected]>.