Try as I might, I can’t see the future and I’m not in control.
Wouldn’t seeing ahead be beneficial? I could make good decisions and great plans. If that's true, why would a loving God shroud the future in mystery? We get glimpses and hints, but I’m looking for an Imax version of what’s around the corner.
Moses was a man of God. In fact, God spoke directly with him regularly. Moses was chosen by God to lead God’s people. You’d think he’d have the inside line if anyone did.
In Exodus 33 he asks God, “Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways.”
Seems like a reasonable request to me, “show me now your ways.” I’ve made similarly sounding requests throughout my life. And Moses presses on (vs.18) – “Please show me your glory.”
I want relationship with God. I want to follow Him. Wouldn’t that be easier if God just showed us His glory outright? Why wouldn’t He?
God does grant Moses’ request – sort of.
And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” Ex 22:21-23
Even Moses wouldn’t be able to bear the full presence of God’s glory. He had to be protected until God had passed by. And then he was allowed to see only God’s back. To see where He had been.
We, too, get the same privilege as well as the same protection. We are not meant to bear what is coming or even His full glory at work in the present. It’s like looking at the sun. We get glimpses, but we cannot stare directly at it without needing to shade our eyes. He loves us so much we get to glimpse His glory now and see where He has been. Yet that same love protects us from what we cannot fully bear now and the weight of carrying the future as well.
Lord, let me live in today. Thank you for protecting me and allowing me to walk in faith. Thank you for revealing a glimpse of Who you are today and where You worked yesterday so I can walk confidently in what You are doing tomorrow.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Matt 6:24
