Articles / Class Lessons
“God Has Personally Invested in You”
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. 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.”
Exodus 33.9-14 ESV
TODAY’S READING: Exodus 33-35
It is hard to read today's scripture reading and not be touched. Think of the awesome privilege Moses had in the way he communicated with God. Think of how much we can learn about God and about Moses in this text. God understood Moses' need for the constant reassurance that would be necessary to sustain and encourage him in the tremendous task of leading God's people to Canaan. The communication that went on between God and Moses was not because of any superior morality or righteousness on Moses' part. Moses was a humble man, who had committed himself fully to God's plan, but he was still subject to sin and shortcomings. This task ahead was much bigger than Moses. And here, in these critical moments, he trusted in God to help him through. As you read Exodus 33, see God's commitment to move forward with His plan to redeem us from sin. See His tender care, concern, and promises of help along the way. See God's willingness to take a personal interest in Moses.
Isn't that the case for New Testament Christians? God is not aloof. He is not unattached from our struggles and cares. Through the work of His Spirit, God continues to encourage us in various ways today. We need to thankful for the direct access we have to Him through prayer. We need to push forward with the assurance that God will do His part to lead us home. God has personally invested in you through the death of His Son. He wants you in heaven. Are you headed home? In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old, Isaiah 63.9.
