Looking for the Presence of God (part 1)

CONTEXT: (Exodus 32) After Moses went up Mount Sinai, God wrote the 10 Commandments on stone tablets.  The people waited impatiently for Moses to return and asked Aaron to make a god for them to worship.  When Moses returned he saw them singing and worshiping the golden calf.  He broke the tablet and rebuked them for their actions.  (Exodus 33) God told Moses to leave Sinai and He would send His angels before them to accomplish what God had said would take place (1-2), but God would not be in their presence because of their stiff-necked sins (3).  The people mourned over the absence of God’s presence (4-6).

TEXT: Exodus 33:7-11

Moses and others sought to meet with God. (7-10)                                                                                                    The Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a friend. (11)                                                                                                 Moses left the tabernacle of meeting, but Joshua remained.

LIVING THE TRUTH:

Would we be happy for God to fulfill His plan without experiencing His presence with us?Do you long to have God speak to you as a friend?

See vs. 14 & 17

You can ask God now for forgiveness and renewal.

Father forgive me for:

  • Pride/Haughty Spirit     “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit   before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18, NIV)

 

  • Selfishness/Self-centeredness       “For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 2:21, NIV)
  • Tolerance of sin       “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” (Hebrews 12:15, NIV)
  • Indifference/Lukewarm   “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm -neither hot nor cold-  I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’  But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:15-17, NIV)

By Your Spirit Renew in me a:

  • Humble/Contrite Spirit    “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and      contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
  • Servant Spirit     “and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”   (Mark 10:44-45, NIV)
  • Spirit of Repentance   “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” (Rom. 6:12, NIV)
  • Hot-Hearted for God’s Will   “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” (Revelation 3:19, NIV)