Be with Me

Moses sees God's glory

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Exodus 24:1-18

TO CHEW ON: "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Come up to Me on the mountain and be there…'" Exodus 24:12,13


What an invitation from God: "'Come up to Me … and be there.'" In our casual talk we might phrase it 'Come and hang out with Me. Be here with Me—be fully here with no wandering thought or gaze.'

This invitation to be with God brings to mind other such invites. The Bible has many. They came on a variety of occasions:

• To Israel when they were bitter and complaining. Moses told the Israelites, "'Come near before the Lord for He has heard your complaints'" on the occasion of the Israelites' bitter complaints about food just before God gave the first manna (Exodus 16:9).

• To a king who needed advice for battle. The priest advised Saul to "'Draw near to God,'" when he was uncertain as to whether or not he should go into battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:36).

• To a worship leader who felt envious of and intimidated by the wicked. The psalmist Asaph expressed his resolve to draw near to God at such a time (Psalm 73:28).

• To all us needy mortals. Jesus extended the invitation to come again and again (Matthew 11:28; 22:4; Revelation 22:17).

• To us who believe in the new covenant and want to approach God. The writer of Hebrews invites: "'Draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" because we've been washed of our sins (Hebrews 10:22).

• To us when we feel humbled and lacking in esteem and wisdom. James says, "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8).

Another thing that I notice about Moses' encounter with God in our reading is that God took His time in showing up: " … and on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud" - Exodus 24:16.

In drawing near we must always keep in mind, He is God. If we want to be with Him, we'll be adjusting to His timetable, not He to ours.

PRAYER: Dear God, what an invitation to "be" with you. Help me to know and practice this state in my 21st century life. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.