What A Difference His Presence Makes

Exod 33:12-23 What A Difference His Presence Makes 14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Introduction: I. THE SOURCE OF HIS PROMISE - DIRECTLY FROM GOD. 14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. A. Moses' Duty -3:10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. Moses was Divinely called to the task of leading the people of God to Canaan. B. Moses' Discouragement - 33:3 Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way. The people had rebelled against the Lord again in chapter 32, and as a result, the Lord wanted to destroy them at worse and remove his presence at best. C. Moses' Desire - 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. TO KNOW GOD'S 1. PATH - 33:13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. Psalms 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 2. PERSON - 33:13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 3. PRESENCE - 33:15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 4. POWER - 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. II. THE SECURITY OF HIS PROMISE My presence shall go with thee Here Is :- (a) A Divine Promise "My Presence" (b) A Direct Promise "shall go" (c) A Definite Promise "with thee" Matt 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. III. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS PROMISE and I will give thee rest Moses Recognised :- I. GOD'S PRESENCE IS AN ESSENTIAL PRESENCE 15 If thy presence go not with me carry us not up hence.

A. Essential to know success in the Christian Life. Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. B. Essential to know success in the Christian Church. Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst" (Matt.18:20). C. Essential to know success in the Christian Battle. Ex. 17:11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

II. GOD'S PRESENCE IS AN EXHILARATING PRESENCE

1 Chr 16:31-33 says: 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. 32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. 33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. Luke 19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. III. GOD'S PRESENCE IS AN EXULTING PRESENCE

Ps 16:11 "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." "Joy" is the Hebrew word that means: "to leap, spin with pleasure." A. The Source Of Joy. Joy is a product of the Holy Ghost (Gal.5:22). But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, B. The Substance Of Joy There is a moral joy. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: C. The Spirituality Of Joy. It comes from God Himself, Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 1 Pet. 1:8, Peter calls it "Joy unspeakable and full of glory." IV. GOD'S PRESENCE IS AN ENVIRONING PRESENCE Ps 31:20, "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues." V. GOD'S PRESENCE IS AN EXPRESSIVE PRESENCE