Being friends with God (3)

Let’s listen again as Moses talks to God: “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favour with you” (Exodus 33:13 NIV). Israel was in a crisis that threatened their relationship with God, but what did Moses pray for? Not, “Lord, You’ve got to resolve it for me!” Instead he prayed, “Teach me Your way so I may know You.” He wanted more than just information about God, he wanted intimacy with Him; to know His heart and mind—how He thought and felt about the situation. Why? Because knowing God and having His favour would bring all the other things he needed, including a solution to the crisis. And God gave him what he asked. “He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.” God responded to Moses’ request, saying, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 NIV). In the Hebrew text, “you” is singular. God promised to accompany Moses and give rest to only him. Anyone else would have accepted gladly, but not Moses! His prayer surpassed his own concerns: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (v. 15 NIV). In other words: “Lord, it’s not me I’m praying for, it’s us!” Question: are your prayers bigger than yourself and your own needs? The Bible says, “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16). So pray that your family, your town, and a lost world will not perish but have everlasting life!