Yearning for God's Presence

Exodus 33:12–17 NASB95

12 Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people!’ But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, ‘I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ 13 “Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. 16 “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 other people who are upon the face of the earth?” 17 The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.”

Verse 12 continues the dialogue between GOD and Moses from verse 3. Israel had just committed a great sin by making a golden calf and regarding it as GOD, because Moses hadn’t come down from the top of Mt. Sinai yet. GOD was furious they could forget him so quickly. To the point that GOD said he would not go with them to Canaan because they were stubborn, and he might kill them all before they even arrived. Moses intercedes which reveals how much he yearns for God’s presence.

We need his guidance

He first shows some of his anxiety, and perhaps frustration, because GOD commanded him to proceed in leading them to Canaan, but Moses feels like GOD has left him without a guide.

Application: When we are truly yearning for God’s presence, it is because we recognize we can’t carry out any mission in life on our own. How often have we found ourselves trying to figure life out by ourselves? Moses doesn’t waste that time.

We want to know him better

Moses then leans heavily on the closeness and pleasure GOD has expressed he had with Moses to make a request. Moses essentially says “GOD, if we are really close as you say, and if you are really pleased with me, as you say” - Please tell me then your plans, because knowing God’s plans is to know his mind, and knowing his mind is to really know him. But furthermore, Moses wants to know God’s ways for the ultimate purpose of continuing to experience God’s favor on his life.

Application: When we truly yearn for God’s presence, it also means we desire to know GOD more. Why else would we want him in our mix, or want to be in his? To know him more must involve a knowledge of his plan, purpose, will, etc. That is an important perspective to have when we consider the Bible in our hands!!

We don’t want to move without him

GOD then responds to Moses’ first statement by promising him that he himself will go with them and give the rest he promised. Now one would think that that should be enough. But not for Moses’, he seeks double assurance and says if your presence doesn’t go, don’t even let us leave the foot of Mt. Sinai!!

Application: When we are yearning for God’s presence, we won’t make a move without him. In other words, because we know the need, want to know his plans to know him, I don’t want to go into the store if I’m not sure GOD is WITH ME!!! The angel can go ahead of us, but GOD I need you with us!!

We need his favor

His favor makes us distinct

His favor brings us forgiveness

Then Moses asks two questions that demonstrate why God’s presence is so important for him. How will other folk really know we have your favor. How will they be any different from the rest of the world. See GOD said in Ex 19:5, that he owns the earth, but they would be his special possession above all the earth if they obeyed him. Notice, this is now Moses’ 4th time in this dialogue referencing the favor or grace of GOD.

Application: When we yearn for God’s presence, we are ultimately seeking his favor. Without his favor, all of us would be like the rest of humanity. But the reality is, if he’s with us, his grace is upon us.

Illustration: What does this type of favor look like? Look at Ex 8:22-23 “22 “But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the Lord, am in the midst of the land. 23 “I will put a division between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign will occur.” ’ ””

Secondarily, understand that the face of GOD toward us, also means GOD is constantly showering us with compassion and forgiveness. GOD responds that he will do what Moses’ asks because he has found favor. Meaning GOD forgives Israel and restores his original plans to take them in himself.

Application: Yearning for God’s presence means seeking his forgiving nature upon my foolishness. It is the only way his light can tolerate us.