PASSION
Then Moses said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
Exodus 33:15 (NIV)
You know that feeling when you say something and then immediately want to take it back? Well, that was me right after I told God, I know You’re with me and all, but I don’t just want Your Presence. I want You to fix this. The words pierced my soul as soon as they left my mouth, and I experienced an undeniable realization that my heart had shifted to wanting what God could do for me more than wanting God. With a repentant heart, I asked God to renew a right spirit in me and confessed that His presence is indeed my far greater need and desire.
I imagine you have your own moments when you come to God more interested in what He can do for you than in His presence with you. It’s a good practice to continually examine our motives and ask ourselves am I going to God to get God, or am I going to God to get things?
Moses was a man who could answer that he was going to God to get God. The miracles, the blessings and the victorious outcomes from God all ranked second to having God’s Presence with him. We see this in Exodus 33. In verses 1-3, we find the Lord directing Moses to set out with the people toward the Promised Land. An angel would lead them and drive out the other inhabitants of the land. The Lord would bless them with a home and an abundant living. However, God would not be going with them due to His anger over their sin in the golden calf incident detailed in Exodus 32.
Moving forward without the presence of God was unthinkable to Moses. All the blessings and power in the world meant nothing to him without God, and in Exodus 33:15, we find Moses interceding on behalf of Israel to come with them. He didn’t want the Promised Land without the Promise Keeper. He didn’t want the blessings without the Blesser. He was a man whose greatest passion was to be near God.
APPLICATION: If you’ve been going to God to get things, confess that to Him, and ask Him to make His presence your greatest passion.
PRAYER: God, I want to want You more than anything. Ignite a passion for Your presence in my soul. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?