Living In His Presence

Living In His Presence

Exodus 33:12-23

September 18, 2005

Morning Service

Introduction

When electricity became available in remote rural areas, one woman went to great trouble and expense to have electricity installed in her home. A few months after the wiring was installed and the power was turned on; the power company noticed that the home didn’t use very much power. Fearing that there was a problem they sent a meter reader to check on the matter. The meter reader saw that the power was indeed working properly and then asked the woman, “Do you use your electricity?” The woman replied, “Of course we do. We turn it on every night to see to light our lamps and then we turn it off.”

Doesn’t that just sound ridiculous? Having all of the power that you need and the ability to tap it all of the time but only using it just enough “get by.” We would never do anything like this at all because it just wouldn’t make sense. However, we do this exact same thing a great deal when we apply the same reasoning to the power and presence of God.

We go out of our way to go to church and to worship but have little relationship with god through the week. We go through difficulties day after day and only when we come to the end of our strength do we ask for God’s help. We have the power of God at our disposal all of the time but yet we attempt to get by on our own strength everyday. We are a lot more like the woman who wouldn’t use her electricity than we would like to admit.

We need to experience the presence of God to experience His power. Just like electricity, when we remove the presence of God from our lives; we also remove the power.

12 Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, `Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, `I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." 14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 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?" 17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." 18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." 21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

I. Living in the Presence of God (12-14)

God created all of humanity to have a deep personal relationship with Him. God literally walked with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Think about that for a moment. Let it sink in. God walked and talked with Adam and Eve. They were able to completely enjoy His divine presence. God’s desire for your life is to have that same kind of relationship with Him. He wants you to be able to walk in His presence.

Moses speaks with God here and simply reminds God of His promises. Why does Moses do this? It’s not like God forgot the promises He made. Moses has a genuine concern here. God had removed His presence from the Israelite camp! There was no longer a sense of the divine within the nation of Israel.

How often do we feel the same way about church but are too afraid to say it? How many come into this sanctuary week after week having no experience with God? What is the problem?