His Glory and His Grace--Supplication

Exodus 33:17-18

So the LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name."

And he said, "Please show me Your glory."

Moses is at a crossroads.  As God's chosen leader to the children of Israel, Moses is under a great weight.  The two million plus people he is shepherding to the promised land have once again started murmuring and complaining, against the provision of God, thus grieving the heart of Moses and rightly so, the heart of God.  So much so that God has refused to continue going before His chosen peoples and instead said He would send an Angel to lead the way.  Moses, unhappy with the decision, intercedes for Israel.

Moses the man is weary.  His passion for God is starting to ebb and he is in need of spiritual refreshing.  

The constant pressure of his position and duties are starting to take a toll.  In verse 12 we see Moses talking to God, and saying "See You say to me, 'Bring up this people.'  But You have not let me know whom You will send with me."

God responds to Moses by saying "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

The LORD agrees to continue on before the children of Israel but Moses was not yet done making his  

supplications know to God. 

"Please, show me Your glory." Said Moses.  

I have always been in awe of this passage of scripture.  Would I be so bold as to ask the God of glory to "show me His glory?"  No one in the bible other than Jesus spent more time in the presence of God than Moses.  At one point Moses had to wear a veil over his face because the glory of God shined so brightly on his face and the people were afraid to look at or even talk to Moses.

Moses was blessed.  Not because of who he was , but because of what he did.  Moses was obedient to God.  So the LORD to spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend (v.11).  

Talk about grace?  Grace is divine favor.  None of us deserve it, however God will not/did not withhold it.  His grace is for all mankind.  Gods grace allows us to be...  How can I say this?  Renewed.  Yes, renewed.

That is what Moses sought from God, a renewing of his spirit.  Moses did not want to succomb to the will of the people nor his own flesh.  What a wonderful example we have here in Moses for both the believer and non-believer. 

God can renew our spirits.  All we need do is ask.  For the believer we get renewal from reading the bible, from personal prayer time, worship, corporate worship and fellowship with other Christians.  

The non-believer gains renewal only by way of the Cross of Jesus. 

Moses found grace in the eyes of God and saw the glory of God.  

Grace has been bestowed upon mankind and this grace allows us to see the glory of God, through Jesus Christ His Son.  

God bless.