Have you ever faced a challenge or situation that you knew you could not manage by yourself. A situation where you said to yourself that only God could get you through this one. That if Jesus doesn’t show up you don’t know what you would do. There are times in life that you just know you cannot make it through - without God.

Moses had one of those moments when he came down the mountain with the ten commandments to find that the Israelites had fashioned a calf of gold in his absence and were worshiping this idol. To say he was angry would be an understatement. But he was also deeply concerned about leading these people who were so quick to complain and go rogue on him. He knew he could not do this alone.

Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:7-23

It is interesting that Moses asked the Lord two things. First that He would go with them. And second he said, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” Not only did he want the presence of God in his situation, but he had a deep desire to grow spiritually and so that his life would find favor with God. 

We often ask God for His intervention in our lives but how often do we ask Him to teach us His ways and transform our lives? It is clear that God was pleased with the heart of Moses both to experience the Lord’s presence in his leadership and to allow God to transform his life.

The response of God was Yes, I will go with you. More than that, “I will give you rest.” I will give you peace of mind. I will calm your nerves with my presence and help. That is exactly what we need when faced with situations that are beyond us. It reminds me of the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The Lord adds one other amazing statement to Moses. “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” We have a God who hears us, who goes with us and most importantly, out of the billions of people on this planet who knows us by name. That ought to encourage us today.

Father, I want to echo Moses' request today. Be with me as I face the situations in front of me. More than that, change me in the process by your Holy Spirit. And thank you that out of all the people on this planet that you know me by name. Amen.