The Lord’s Glory
Open Your Bible
Exodus 33:1-23, Genesis 3:8-10, Numbers 6:22-26
BY Kara Gause
What is it you long for? We all have something deep inside us. The roadmap of our hearts leads us there, to the place where our treasure is found—the place where our hope, wonder, and worship reside.
God had promised to rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and bring them to a new home, a land of freedom and abundance. But His bigger promise was this: He would bring them back into relationship with Him, back into His presence. He would dwell among the Israelites and be their God (Exodus 29:45–46).
But God’s people put all of that in jeopardy by building the golden calf and inciting God’s anger with their idol worship. They were set to experience separation from Him again. Yes, He would still bring them into the promised land, but He would not accompany them there (Exodus 33:1–3).
Because of their sin, Israel could not be in God’s presence—but Moses could. The Lord spoke to Moses “face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend” (v.11). And so on behalf of the Israelites, Moses pleaded with God to reconsider:
“If your presence does not go…don’t make us go up from here. How will it be known that I and your people have found favor with you unless you go with us? I and your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth” (vv.15–16).
Moses knew what was really at stake for the Israelites: the true promised land, God Himself. Moses knew that God was not merely a means to an end, not just the path to blessing. God is the blessing. God’s presence was the very identity of His people. If He wasn’t in the new land, then there was no point in going. Without Him, there would be no real blessing, no peace, no rest.
So what does your promised land look like?
Mine looks like a land of abundant provision, free from shame and fear, melancholy, sickness, and loneliness. Scripture tells me all of these needs and more are met now, in Jesus Christ, though He is far more than a means to an end. He is Alpha and Omega, beginning and end—and everything in between (Revelation 22:13).
He doesn’t just provide. He is our provision (Genesis 22:14).
He doesn’t just make us righteous. He is our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6).
He doesn’t just give us peace. He is our peace (Judges 6:24, Hebrews 13:20).
He doesn’t just heal us. He is our healing (Exodus 15:26).
And if we know Jesus, we are never truly alone. He is always with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). His promise to each of us is this: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14).
In His attributes God reveals Himself to us—His character, His nature, and His heart. Like Moses, we can boldly ask to know more of God, to see more of His glory. This is why God delivered the Israelites, and it’s why He sent His Son to deliver us. God came near so we could truly know Him and never be separated from His presence again.
32 thoughts on "The Lord’s Glory"
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I like this bible.
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Father thank You! Your presence is everything. Amen.
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He knew him by his name. I’m so thankful because when we have no one on earth we still have him.
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I agree with Dorothy how good the devotional today is. Thank you Kara for such a beautifully-written and truth-beaming devotional. I love how Kara gave us a glimpse of her promised land, and I see the resemblance with mine. Mine used to be so different, but as this open journey progresses, I have learnt to let go of many futile options on the way. The list is more condense now, and is comprised of things that money cannot buy, and solely by the power and grace of God. May we be encouraged by the example of Moses through this reading (the only one allowed in His presence, face to face). May we learn to boldly ask God to let us know more of Him with such intimacy and trust, essentially eternal life is to know Him (John 17:3). Two years ago I asked Him to let me experience the supernatural realm and He did, little by little, with such grace and subtleness He did, to not freak me out. My little ones usually played so rough and incurred little personal injuries, like all the time, but the strangest thing is the next day none looked so bad, and I always thought to myself phew how did we get out of this. Just peace. No frenzy. On hindsight and to His glory, it’s God answering my request. He is so discreet in the way He answers and sometimes we can miss it. That’s supernatural for me and I thank God for bringing me to new level with Him slowly day by day. Be blessed dear sisters.
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Awesome. He is with us always!!!
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@Danielke B. I looked up a message about Exodus 33. It is from Leonard Ravenhill and as I was listening, I thought about what you wrote. He talked about spending time in His Presence and that He speaks to us through His Word. He said so much more that I started longing for! Ladies, this is a message to listen to! Here is a link: https://youtu.be/hH2WIy_HW40
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WOW!!! What a powerful devotion today!!! It reminds me that all I need to do is turn to God and Christ in my times of need, hardship, sorrow, grief, happiness, thankfulness and joy. In other words, God and Christ are my GO TO, my TURN TO, my ONE AND ONLY. They will ALWAYS, ALWAYS BE THERE.
My sister went to a rehab hospital yesterday evening. A friend has, I hope, has talked her into an apartment over a townhouse. I will know more later today. I’m going to see her today. I was going to go yesterday but had to get a tire replaced — a nail found my tire. Thank you for all your prayers and please continue to pray.
Sisters be blessed and say a kind word to those around you today. -
Some mornings the getting up and the coffee making and the sitting down to read are all a bit habitual, and, dareIsay, mundane. But today…this passage was riveting for me! My heart felt so alive and excited reading about Moses meeting God face to face, like a friend. And then the explanation of how to see the Glory of God – the fact that God agreed to show Moses! What a gift! My Bible has a note about Moses’ request: “Moses’ prayer was fully answered on the Mount of Transfiguration centuries later.” It reminded me that I may seek something from God, and may struggle with the response I get, this side of heaven, but that the fullness of it may be “centuries” later. It makes me long for the fullness of that relationship, the face to face with a friend fullness. I often wonder what God is waiting for, but today I am reminded that His timing is good – no matter if I understand it or not. Just the lengths God goes to to have relationship with such “obstinate people.” I am so thankful I live on this side of the New Covenant and can be in the cleft of THE Rock, always! It really does make you want to sing and praise and dance and yell it out for all to hear:
The LORD bless you, and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine on you,
and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
and give you peace.
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