In Exodus 33:13, Moses says to God, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” In verse 18 of the same chapter, “Moses said, “’Now show me Your glory.’” Moses isn’t asking for a brilliant display of God’s power. He and the Israelites had already seen God’s power on display. They experienced being delivered from Egypt through the plagues. They crossed the Red Sea on dry land. God led them into the desert as a cloud by day (providing shade from the desert sun) and a pillar of fire by night (providing heat and light during the dark, cold desert evenings). God provided the Israelites with food through Manna and Quail. He provided water from a rock.
“Teach me your ways. Show me your glory.” Moses is asking God to reveal the excellency of His character, the perfect attributes of His very own nature. In Exodus 34:5-7, God answers Moses’ request. “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him (Moses) and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “’The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’”
In Psalm 103, David instructs us in the importance of regularly encouraging ourselves to worship God from the depth of our being (v. 1). He instructs us NEVER to FORGET the many benefits or gifts God has given us: forgiveness, healing, lovingkindness, mercy, life sustenance and strength (v. 2-5). While these are important instructions, it is not enough to stand back and see what God can do. This is why, in verse 8 of Psalm 103, David quotes the exact phrases underlined above from Exodus 34:6, which reveal God’s character and nature. “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
Worship must be hinged on the revelation of God’s character. Not on who we think God is but on who God has revealed himself to be in Scripture, revealed in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
Let’s never be satisfied with only knowing or hearing about what God does. Let’s draw near to Him (James 4:8). Let’s dig into God’s Word, the revelation of Himself (2 Peter 3:18, 2 Timothy 2:15). Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to teach us (John 16:13-15). Let’s allow God to show us His ways and His glory!
“Awesome God let us see Your glory! Your glory is so much morethan raw power or blinding light. When Moses prayed to see the
revelation of Your glory, You answered by illuminating
the excellencies of Your character, the perfect attributes of Your own nature.
Open our eyes to Your glory, Lord! Show us the glory of Your faithfulness and love.
With each new day, show us the glory of Your very nature,
revealed in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.”
(“Hear My Prayer,” p. 115, NIV Worship Bible, copyright 2000, The Corinthian Group, Inc.)
Pastor Tom