Blessing of God's presence
10th December, 2006 (Sunday)
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way." When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. (Exodus 33:1-4)
Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 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?" 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 33:15-17)
A few days ago, I was watching sermon on the Internet, Pastor Damian was giving a sermon about these scriptures and I was touched immediately. I kept thinking about it and read the scriptures over and over. I asked God what message did the scriptures give me. The Holy Spirit let me got two important messages, not only for me, but to all the churches in Hong Kong.
1. Moses gets the heart of God
God told Moses to lead the Israelite to Canaan. Angels would be sent to pave the way for them and Canaanites would be driven out. Then the Israelites could enter the land flowing with milk and honey. However, God was not going with the Israelites because they were stubborn. It was afraid that God might eliminate them on the way. But Moses clearly knew his goal of serving. If God was not present and there was only blessing from the angels, the whole thing would be a success superficially. If God is not present and it lacks God's glory, what is the meaning of success?
During this period, I think a lot about the works I do for God. Are they only blessing from angels without God's presence? Sometimes, we think that there are some achievements with our service and we take it as God's blessing. We chase after achievement and it becomes our idols. Moses reminded us that we should not be satisfied with achieving our goals but opt for God’s presence with us.
On the other hand, it is not God’s heart for choosing not to go with the Israelites. They were not only stubborn, but were sinful people. God is against evil and He cannot stand the sin among the people. We should always ask, are we receiving blessings from angels or blessing with God's presence? If we only receive blessings from the angels, we should find out whether we have any hidden sin. If it is the case, we must repent and look for God's face.
2. Prayer can change God's will
God's mind is firm and it is not easy to change His words. However, in verse 17, Moses begged God. If God was not going with them, Moses asked God not to send him into Canaan. Finally, Moses successfully changed God’s mind and God even said, ‘I know you by name.’ The Israelites were told to be separated from other people in the world. Thus, God went with Moses and showed His glory in front of Moses.
The goal of churches and Christians is to glorify God. The way to glory God is to be present with God and walk with Him. In this way, our family life and services are not the same anymore. Though the church and family members may not be all holy, with the presence of God, your prayers can change the adverse environment. Moses was leading a group of stubborn people. With his sincere prayers, the whole situation was changed.
I am very ill at the moment, but I walk with God everyday and pray for His guidance. Dear co-workers, brothers and sisters, let’s invite God to walk with us everyday. Our own plans and calculations can never catch up with God’s guidance. May all churches get inspiration from Moses and start to revise our goal of service. We should look for blessing of God’s presence. Let God’s glory be with us. Let God be the King among us.
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way." When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. (Exodus 33:1-4)
Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 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?" 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 33:15-17)
A few days ago, I was watching sermon on the Internet, Pastor Damian was giving a sermon about these scriptures and I was touched immediately. I kept thinking about it and read the scriptures over and over. I asked God what message did the scriptures give me. The Holy Spirit let me got two important messages, not only for me, but to all the churches in Hong Kong.
1. Moses gets the heart of God
God told Moses to lead the Israelite to Canaan. Angels would be sent to pave the way for them and Canaanites would be driven out. Then the Israelites could enter the land flowing with milk and honey. However, God was not going with the Israelites because they were stubborn. It was afraid that God might eliminate them on the way. But Moses clearly knew his goal of serving. If God was not present and there was only blessing from the angels, the whole thing would be a success superficially. If God is not present and it lacks God's glory, what is the meaning of success?
During this period, I think a lot about the works I do for God. Are they only blessing from angels without God's presence? Sometimes, we think that there are some achievements with our service and we take it as God's blessing. We chase after achievement and it becomes our idols. Moses reminded us that we should not be satisfied with achieving our goals but opt for God’s presence with us.
On the other hand, it is not God’s heart for choosing not to go with the Israelites. They were not only stubborn, but were sinful people. God is against evil and He cannot stand the sin among the people. We should always ask, are we receiving blessings from angels or blessing with God's presence? If we only receive blessings from the angels, we should find out whether we have any hidden sin. If it is the case, we must repent and look for God's face.
2. Prayer can change God's will
God's mind is firm and it is not easy to change His words. However, in verse 17, Moses begged God. If God was not going with them, Moses asked God not to send him into Canaan. Finally, Moses successfully changed God’s mind and God even said, ‘I know you by name.’ The Israelites were told to be separated from other people in the world. Thus, God went with Moses and showed His glory in front of Moses.
The goal of churches and Christians is to glorify God. The way to glory God is to be present with God and walk with Him. In this way, our family life and services are not the same anymore. Though the church and family members may not be all holy, with the presence of God, your prayers can change the adverse environment. Moses was leading a group of stubborn people. With his sincere prayers, the whole situation was changed.
I am very ill at the moment, but I walk with God everyday and pray for His guidance. Dear co-workers, brothers and sisters, let’s invite God to walk with us everyday. Our own plans and calculations can never catch up with God’s guidance. May all churches get inspiration from Moses and start to revise our goal of service. We should look for blessing of God’s presence. Let God’s glory be with us. Let God be the King among us.
Pastor Li
posted by kinwahli | 4:06 AM
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