Today, as I traveled to Houston to be with my mom, dad, and oldest brother for my dad’s appointment with his oncologist, I tuned my radio to KHCB 105.7 FM and caught the middle of a series by Nancy Leigh DeMoss that shares lessons from the life of Joshua. Two verses she talked about has challenged me to seek God more in my life. Here’s what I learned.
“Whenever the people of Israel set up camp, Moses would take the sacred Tent and put it up some distance outside the camp. It was called the Tent of the LORD’s presence, and anyone who wanted to consult the LORD would go to it.” (Exodus 33:7)
First, we find evidence of God’s character of holiness. He was dealing with a nation (Israel) who earlier made a golden calf to worship it and who then broke God’s first two commandments: 1) not to worship any other god but the LORD God, and 2) not make any image of any kind to bow down to or worship. So, God had to place His Tent of Meeting (or Tent of the LORD’s presence) outside of camp, to set Himself apart as Holy. At the same time, we find evidence of God’s character filled with abundant grace. Although the nation of Israel sinned horribly against God, God’s anger relented from destroying the nation completely. The LORD God allowed anyone who wanted to consult with Him to meet Him at the Tent of Meeting. “I, the LORD, am a God who is full of compassion and pity, who is not easily angered and who shows great love and faithfulness. I keep my promise for thousands of generations and forgive evil and sin; but I will not fail to punish children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation for the sins of their parents.” (Exodus 34:6-7)
God wants a personal, intimate relationship with each one of us. When we approach the Holy God of Israel, we need to confess our sins and He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). When He cleanses us, we can have confidence and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. Then we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it (Hebrews 4:16).
“The LORD would speak with Moses face-to-face, just as someone speaks with a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp. But the young man who was his helper, Joshua son of Nun, stayed in the Tent.” (Exodus 33:11)
Here’s evidence that God desires to have an intimate, personal relationship with each of us, communicating with each of us like a friend. Most people, like Moses, just give a moment for God to speak and then they return to mundane tasks of their daily lives. Only a few, like Joshua, linger in the presence of God, not wanting to depart from His wholeness, His goodness, His glory, His warmth, His encompassing love. Which of these people do you see yourself as? Which of them do you want to be?
The LORD God is the holistic answer to life and the meaning of life.
My final thoughts: God is everywhere you want to be.
If you are interested in reading more about what Nancy had to share, go to www.reviveourhearts.com, click on the “Past Programs” link, select “Mar 2009” to search Past Program by Date, then click on “Mar 3 – Down From the Mountain”.
