Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Presence Of The Lord (Self Assessment)
Background:
After leaving Egypt and escaping through the Red Sea, the Israelites traveled through the wilderness and arrived at Sinai. There, they had several encounters with God. At one time, Moses went up to meet with God on Mount Sinai.
He returned after spending forty days and nights on top of the mountain, only to find out that the Israelites had pressured Aaron into making a gold calf for them to worship. This made God decide to withdraw His presence from the Israelites. Let’s delve into our study for today and find out what Moses’ reaction was to God’s decision and just how important God’s presence is to His people.
Text: Exodus 33:1-4, 12-17
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ 2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way. 4 When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments.
12 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 favour with me.’ 14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”
15 Then Moses said to Him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 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? 17 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.” Amen.
Questions:
1) In your opinion, what does it mean to have the Presence of God?
2) According to verse 3, God called the Israelites a stiff-necked people. What does this mean and how does this attitude affect our fellowship with God?
3) What are some of the factors that contribute to one having the Presence of God?
4) How important is the Presence of God to a Christian, and what are the benefits of having the Presence of God as recorded in verse 16?
5) How dangerous is it for a Christian to live without the Presence of God?
6) What lessons have you learnt from today’s study?
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