MOONLIGHT ROMANCE: WHAT’S IN “HIS GLORY” Exodus 33: 7-23

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” Exodus 33;18 NIV

Picture a date; the perfect location, good food, and great music. The moon and the stars shining bright. And you are getting the sea breeze and its cooling effects from the coast. Across the table is your date looking dazzling and emitting so much beauty for a man. He smiles at you, and you can’t help but blush.

You replayed the days leading up to this moment. The decisions made to set up this date, including the choice of this location—“your tent of meeting”.

Like Moses, you pitched your tent away from the camp. The camp was a distraction filled with worries and fears competing for your attention.

To honour your date, a prestigious man, you decided to give him your full attention, as his presence is impactful.

As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses.  Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.)

“How’s the food? He asked.

“Good! Really good,” you replied.

You still can’t believe that he is sitting with you face to face, talking as a man would speak to his beloved friend.

So you asked, “You said I should start that business, take that course, lead that job (whatever instructions were given to you), but you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. Honestly, I can’t do it on my own. You said you love me and I have found favour in your eyes, so please teach me your ways, my love, so that I can walk rightly before you”

He looks at you with a smile that always gives you joy and melts all your pain away, and he said, “Indeed, I am pleased with you, and you have found favour in my eyes, and I even know you by name. No worries, princess; my presence will go with you”

There was a moment of silence. You were quiet as you let His words sink in. After some time, you asked the question of the night. That one question that you so desire to ask.

“Show me your glory, please!”

As these words left your mouth, a waiter passing by overheard your request and gasped, perplexed as to why a girl like you would muster the audacity to ask what she deemed impossible. She pondered, “What could possibly be in HIS glory that this girl is so desperate to witness? Doesn’t she realise that no one ever sees HIS Face and lives to tell the tale?”

So the question is, “What’s in HIS glory? 

To answer, let’s define the word “glory”.

Cambridge Dictionary defines glory as magnificence or great beauty.

Pastor John Piper of desiringGod.com puts it this way, “the glory of God is the infinite beauty and greatness of God’s manifold perfections.”

Compellingtruth.org mentions that the glory of God is the splendour that comes from him (Psalm 19:1).

God is a God of kavod, and in His presence is His DOXA made manifest. Simply put, the glory of God is also the manifest presence of God. Moses knew this; that’s why he said: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”

What’s in HIS glory?

1. His Glory gives you REST.

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

It’s very easy to get so overwhelmed in today’s society. So many things (outbreaks of diseases, wars, injustice, etc) that can give you a heart attack. But if you have his presence, then He will give you rest.

2. His glory distinguishes you from others

¹⁶ How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with me unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

3. His glory is accompanied by his goodness, and you get the honour of Him proclaiming his name in your presence. What more could one ask for?

19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

4. His glory brings forth mercy and compassion

¹⁹ And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

There’s so much more in His presence (glory) if only we could ask Him to show us His glory as Moses did. He is more than willing to manifest Himself to us.

Related blog post: Should Christian youth testify?

Prayer

Dear Father, my beloved and my strength. I come before you today in the Name of Jesus that you will reveal your glory to me and in me. All of me is yours, and all of your creations reflect your glory. I am fully aware, Lord, that you are most glorified in me when I am satisfied in you. I want to boldly proclaim that “for your glory I will do anything” This I ask in Jesus’ name, amen!

Song recommendation:  FOR YOUR GLORY by Tasha Cobbs