“Then Moses said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15 NIV)
Moses had reached a point in his story where he was unwilling to move forward apart form divine accompaniment. He refused to do life or leadership without the Lord’s presence and leading. He basically told God, I’m not leaving without You.
This is a bold response to a previous conversation. In Exodus 33:2-3, God had essentially said He was too upset to take another step with His stubborn and idol-minded people. He promised to send an angel in His stead, someone to go before them and fight for them. He was far too angry to attend to them in person.
Moses wouldn’t have it. It wasn’t what he had signed up for. He was unwilling to lead without the benefit of being close to God. He was willing to stage a sit-in and wait for God to alter the working conditions.
How did God respond to Moses’ bold request?
He was delighted.
“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.” (Exodus 33:17 NIV)
God wasn’t annoyed by Moses appeal. Quite the opposite, He was honored. When we hold out for more of God He is more than pleased to meet our demands. Why? Our request lines up with His will. Remember, He is constantly calling us toward His stated goal: that we would be His people and He would be our God. Genesis to Revelation, that’s what the Book is all about. He desires deeper intimacy with each of us, it’s literally the one thing He’s after; restored relationship with His creation. He was so pleased with Moses request that He allowed His goodness to pass before Moses and the whole relationship leveled up. Moses’ face shone after every meeting thereafter.
What about us? What if we refused to go forward apart from God’s presence? What if we wouldn’t take another step without His accompaniment? What would change? Would God be honored? Would we be filled with His Spirit? Refilled? Where might He lead us if we waited on Him?
Lord, let us be like Moses in this moment: refusing to move forward without You. Meet with us today. Show us a tiny bit of Your glory. Move us together toward Your purposes. May we live in unbroken fellowship with You. Amen.