Desperate for Presence
by Anika Jones
And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” Exodus 33:15
Moses makes this statement after the children of Israel sinned against God. They were impatient as Moses was communing with God on the mountain and they had Aaron build them a golden calf. Let’s just say it was a hot mess. Read Exodus 32-33 for more. In his anger, the Lord told Moses that his presence would not go with them to the promised land because they were a stiff-necked people. Moses pleads with the Lord. After all, what good is the promise if we don’t have his presence?
Moses was a man familiar with the presence of God. His experiences with God’s presence created a hunger for more. He remained in a place of humble desperation.
A few months ago, the Lord showed up in such a powerful way in our united gathering. I am fully convinced that was not intended to be an isolated event. Being in the presence of the Lord should leave us wanting more. But like the children of Israel, it is so easy for us to forget and become intoxicated with the idols the world offers and yield to the temptation to pursue things that take us away from His presence. We become delusional and forget that He is the vine and we are the branches and unless we abide in Him and He in us, we can do nothing (John 15:5). It is helpful to rehearse this truth and remain desperate for His presence. Fasting helps to cultivate a hunger for more, so let us continue to press in together and find encouragement, knowing He will respond.
And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” Exodus 33:15
Moses makes this statement after the children of Israel sinned against God. They were impatient as Moses was communing with God on the mountain and they had Aaron build them a golden calf. Let’s just say it was a hot mess. Read Exodus 32-33 for more. In his anger, the Lord told Moses that his presence would not go with them to the promised land because they were a stiff-necked people. Moses pleads with the Lord. After all, what good is the promise if we don’t have his presence?
Moses was a man familiar with the presence of God. His experiences with God’s presence created a hunger for more. He remained in a place of humble desperation.
A few months ago, the Lord showed up in such a powerful way in our united gathering. I am fully convinced that was not intended to be an isolated event. Being in the presence of the Lord should leave us wanting more. But like the children of Israel, it is so easy for us to forget and become intoxicated with the idols the world offers and yield to the temptation to pursue things that take us away from His presence. We become delusional and forget that He is the vine and we are the branches and unless we abide in Him and He in us, we can do nothing (John 15:5). It is helpful to rehearse this truth and remain desperate for His presence. Fasting helps to cultivate a hunger for more, so let us continue to press in together and find encouragement, knowing He will respond.