God’s Distinguishing Presence

Exodus 33-34; Psalms 16; Acts 9

“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?’”

Exodus 33:14-16

The most valuable thing we have in our lives is the Presence of the Lord. The absence of God’s Presence is the absence of rest at the center of our being. Like Moses, without God’s Presence, we, too, should not be willing to go anywhere or do anything. God’s Presence, or his face turned toward us, is the expression of his glory. God’s Presence is the expression of his nature, or character, full of mercy, love, and holiness. When God’s Presence marks our lives, we express his nature which also distinguishes us from the people around us.

Are we valuing, stewarding, and pursuing the Presence of the Lord?

“Lord God, your face is what I seek. Thank you for your rest, for your glory.”