February 11

Show Me Your Glory

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 24:1-6 | Exodus 32:1-33:23 | Matthew 26:69-27:14 | Proverbs 8:33-36

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 24, Ex. 32-33 and Proverbs 8:33-36

“Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord” (Psalm 24:3-4 NIV).

Moses sought and found an intimacy with God that was quite rare and precious: “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” The people would see Moses go into the tent of meeting; all the people would stand and worship at the entrance to their own tents. Often after meeting with God, Moses face would shine with glory. Everyone knew he had been with the Lord.

His authority as a leader flowed from his intimacy with the Father.

How do we get to that place of intimacy?  The Psalmist says, “we must come with clean hands and pure hearts” (Psalm 24:3).  Often our own sin and idolatry keep us from entering into the place of intimacy with God.  Instead of inviting the King of Glory to come in, we exchange his glory for a lie.

Proverbs tells us that the place of intimacy comes only to those who “watch daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.” Intimacy comes from “seeking Him” and learning to listen daily (Prov. 8:34).

For Moses too, intimacy came only from daily seeking, daily listening, and daily obedience. Moses fought for the “presence of the Lord” to go with them and had the audacity to ask for more of his presence. Though he had unusual intimacy with God, he wanted more. That holy longing for more of his presence was expressed in the cry of his heart, “God, show me your glory.”

Do you want to that kind of intimacy? You must press in to the heart of Father. You must seek Him with all your heart. You must not neglect that holy desire to know him more. Satisfaction with the status quo in your relationship with him will keep you from pressing in to deeper places of intimacy. Lord, show me your glory!

Glorious Lord, I long to know you more fully, more intimately. I want to know the joy of close fellowship as we speak face to face, even as Moses. Lord, Show me your glory! Amen.