And the Lord said, I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Exodus 33:19
Moses asked the Lord whom he was sending with him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He also asked the Lord to teach him His ways so that he would know Him and find favor with Him. The Lord replied that His Presence would go with Moses. I always chuckle when I read the next line in the Scriptures where Moses seemingly didn’t hear God say He was going with him or was so busy worrying about who would go with him that he didn’t get it: Then Moses said to him: If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us from here. (v.15) We are like that, aren’t we? God speaks to us and we are either not listening or are so busy thinking about the next thing we will say that we don’t hear His comforting words. God was saying to Moses, “Listen up, I am going with you – don’t worry.” Moses just rambles on, asking God, “How will your people know that You are pleased with me unless You go with us?” For goodness sake, Moses! God already said He was going with you. Moses was anxious to have God with him when he attempted to follow God’s call, and he was right to ask God to be with him. But he didn’t hear God’s response. The Lord, infinitely patient, said to Moses: I will do the very thing you have asked because I am pleased with you and I know you by name. (v.17)
Do you believe that God knows you by name? Do you believe that He hears your prayers and desires to answer them? He is delighted with our prayers as we commune with Him, and He responds to us because He knows us by name. He is so patient, even as we refuse to listen to Him answering our prayers; He is watching, listening to our rambling on and on, knowing that if we will settle down and just listen, His Presence will go with us. The next time you pray, take time to listen to God. He is waiting for us to listen, and His Presence will go with us.
Heavenly Father, Thank you that You are always here – waiting, listening and responding to my prayers. Thank you that Your Presence goes before me as I seek to follow Your call. In Jesus’ name, Amen
