As Moses and the children of Israel are wandering in the wilderness, following the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, the LORD speaks to Moses and says, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14). And what is Moses' reply to this reassurance? In verse 15 he says to the LORD, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 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?"
These are profound questions. We need to examine them deeper.
Moses had a more intimate relationship with the LORD than any of us could ever really imagine. He met with Him face-to-face. He spent 40 days with Him on top of Mt. Sinai, ensconced in the glory-cloud. He and the 70 elders dined with Him in the heavenly places. The LORD called Moses "friend!" And so there is one thing of which Moses is absolutely convinced: "If Your Presence does not go with us, we don't want to go."
Once you have tasted the Presence of the Living God, why would you ever want to be without Him? Why would you ever want to be involved in anything that He is not a part of?
Psalm 62 says, "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He is my fortress and I will never be shaken. My hope comes from Him. My salvation and my honor depend on my God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard; that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are love."
Moses is saying, "If you do not go up with us, LORD, we go without rest; we go without hope; we go without honor and defense; we go without salvation; we go without love."
I'm with you, Moses! If the LORD does not go with me, I don't want to go. I just don't! No good thing could come of anything apart from Him!
And, as Moses further ponders, "What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" Moses recognizes that having the Presence of the LORD with him will cause him to be set-apart from all others. In fact, after he talks with the LORD his face glows with such powerful radiance that he has to cover it with a veil before he can be among the people!
Are you distinguishable from others because of the Presence of God? Do others wonder what makes you different? Do you seek His Presence in all the various facets of your day? Do you speak with God about all the small details of your life, sharing with Him as with a friend?
If the LORD does not go with me, I don't want to go. I just don't.
