Hi everyone! I'm writing you from a very hot Phuket, Thailand. I am loving this month, although it hasn't been without its ups and downs (both spiritually and emotionally; the thermostat on the other hand has only been on the up and up since we got here). We are finishing our third week of this month, and it has been great. Ministry is hard. We are digging trenches, pulling weeds, laying barbed-wire fences, painting houses, and more; all in direct sun, in heat upwards of 100° before factoring in the humidity. In fact, to give you an idea of just how hot it has been, my sleeping pad melted and my nalgene (which is supposed to be usable cookware) has melting spots on it too. It's been a really sweaty experience.
Anyway, if you read my last blog, you know that Holy Spirit has been teaching me a lot in the last few months, and has shifted my thinking in a few big ways. My last blog, "An Invitation", really sets the stage for this one (and has some pretty set announcements), so i recommend you read it before continuing this post, "The Presence".
At the end of my last entry, I left you all with a quote from Bill Johnson's new book Hosting the Presence: "Moses was able to distill the cry of his heart in this simple prayer: “Let me know Your ways that I may know You” (Exod. 33:13). Discovering His ways is the invitation to come to Him and know Him in the way revealed. Revelations of His nature are invitations to experience Him."
In Nepal, I started reading Exodus, and chapter 33 really resonated with me. I would like to walk you through that passage, and share some of the nuggets God has opened my eyes to see in it.
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent. (verses 7-11)
Reading this first section, it struck me as really interesting that in verse 7 alone, we are told that the tent was a good distance from the camp. I believe that God was really stressing to the people that the Presence has to be a priority. We don't stop by the tent of meeting because of convenience; had it been placed in the center of the camp, anyone could have popped in on their way to wherever they were going. Going out to the tent had to be a choice; it required intentionality. We can often fall to the trap of passivity in our relationship with Him, but God has been teaching me that He is jealous of our affection. We now have constant, unlimited access to His presence, but we must treasure that privilege, and choose to accept His invitation to be with Him continually.
One of the things that I really love about this passage is what it shows us about who Moses is and where he went with God. Bill Johnson writes, “Moses’ life stands today as an invitation for all to enter a deeper place with God. The amazing part is that all that Moses experienced happened under an inferior covenant…The high-water mark of the Old Testament was not to remain the high-water mark for the New. It is improper to expect superior blessings from an inferior covenant.” When I read this passage of scripture, it makes me excited. When Moses went to the tent of meeting, everyone went outside to watch. They knew that when he encountered God, things happened. The glory cloud of God's presence came down and met with him. This happened regularly, like as in Moses' routine was to have God descend upon him. They spoke as friends would talk face to face. I WANT that. I want people to stop and stare as I pray and worship, not because I'm being showy, but because they expect the Presence to come and change the atmosphere. I want to set the new watermark of friendship and intimacy with God.
Before moving on in the passage, I want to point your attention to one more thing. Joshua. Thrown in there at the end, we read this crazy little verse, that for me changes everything. "When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent." Joshua went on to lead the people of Israel. What qualified him for this? Leadership books have all kinds of answers to that question, and studies of Joshua's life and character lend to it many answers. But as I read, Holy Spirit gave me such a clear revelation that I know, that whatever other natural qualities made him a good candidate, what really prepared Joshua for leadership was Presence. When Moses left, Joshua wanted more. He wasn't satisfied with what was enough for Moses. He was hungry for more. It reminds me of Elisha asking for a double portion of Elijah's anointing. Elijah's portion was obviously enough, looking at his life, but Elisha wasn't interested in continuing at the same level. He wanted more of God and this opened new doors for Him to take us even farther into the heart of God. When I look at Joshua, I see a man marked and motivated by God's presence, and it challenges me to look for someone who I can come under. Not because I am motivated to take their leadership, but because, by being under them serving God, I can grow in the same things that they have. Look for someone who can be your Moses, and be challenged so serve them and go even farther. Spiritual fathers desire to see their sons go places that they never could have dreamed of.
Moses said to the Lord, "See, you say to me, 'Bring up this people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And he said to him, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?" And the Lord said to Moses, "This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." (verses 12-17)
When I read this section all I can think is that that seems like a pretty bold move, if you ask me. I hesitate to be so (seemingly) brash with God, but I think that Moses' boldness is an invitation to boldly approach the throne of Grace. He knew his position before God, and if we know ours, not as servants but as sons, then we too will ask big things of our Father.
This section of scripture is powerful, because it reveals a really profound truth that is often missed. We are nothing without the Presence of God. Nothing except for His living, breathing, indwelling presence separates us from the rest of the world. What makes Christianity different than other faiths? Yes, it is the truth of the Gospel, but ultimately Jesus Himself is Truth, and His presence, not His thoughts or ideas transform us. When I read this, is challenges me to honor and create space for more of God's presence in my life: in my thoughts and emotions, in big decisions and little moments.
Moses said, "Please show me your glory." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The Lord.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live." And the Lord said, "Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen." (verses 18-23)
We are transformed by His glory, but His glory ultimately is His goodness! That is powerful truth. It's the difference between trying to do ministry ultimately out of power instead of love. His glory is His goodness; His kindness leads us to repentance; His love compels us. Let that truth get you at your core. His goodness changes us and causes us to literally look different. You know the story. Moses comes down the mountain and is glowing! He is transformed by God's presence and the change is visual. Meeting with God changes us inside and out. But…
If the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. (2 Corinthians 3:7-11 ESV)
I love this passage because it challenges me to want for more, to believe for bigger, and to ask for greater. If Moses, in the old covenant (going back to the high-water mark Bill Johnson described), saw God do such mighty things in and through him, how much more is available to you and me? We should expect (which is really the key to my next blog, so stay tuned) to be transformed in His presence; we should expect to see Him move in power and love; we should expect greater glory than we have experienced thus far.
Ask God to make you more aware of His presence today. Let Him draw you closer to Himself. Let Him teach you His ways. Be like the people who went out of their way for the presence. Be like Joshua who just couldn't get enough. Be like Moses who walked in power, boldness, and expectancy for God's presence in every situation. But also know that in Christ, we get to be like Jesus, not just Old Testament shadows. We are the fulfillment of the greater things Jesus promised us. Ask God, if what was being brought to an end came with glory, how much more glory does that which is permeant really have?
Blessings everyone! I'm praying for you.
If this blog blessed you, please leave a comment letting me know how!
