Tuesday, January 23

Step Out!

Ex 33:7-16

And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.

Where do you meet God? Do you have your own closet in that you separate yourself? Or is it right there in the middle of all that is going on? the middle of your distress? the midst of your day? Moses went outside of his present circumstances to meet God. Some verses refer to the tabernacle as tent, the place where Moses was dwelling. Where is your house - in the midst of all the goings on like Lot? Moses moved the tent where he resided outside the camp. Do we remove ourselves from the camp? Sometimes we can't get past our day and God is willing to lead us to where we can meet Him. But we should desire to be away from our daily mental pollution and seek out the fresh breath of His life in us.

And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.
When we separate ourselves from the stuff that is going on in the world, people notice. They may check us out - watch. They may resent our move or look on with anticipation to see how we fare.

And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.
Imagine as they watch, the Lord shows His favor upon us, His recognition that we separated ourselves. What an encouraging witness! What a relationship! How are we seeking to hear from God? Do we know that our spiritual leaders are constantly before God?

And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.
Such witness enables other to see how God is, and our witness should be for all to see - not a show, but a lifestyle.

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
Face-to-face - does it get any better than this? Without all the garbage in our lives, we find our God a friend. We find ourselves enabled to re-enter our camp. Moses had to lead the people, Joshua had to support Moses. Some of us have to lead people. Some of us have to stay on our knees, or to learn to lead, or other various modes of service. Like Mary and Martha, we must seek out God's presence as is fit to His calling on our life and to perform what is His will for us. That someone spends more or less time than ourselves, is more intent or less than ourselves, or in the same manner as ourselves is not our concern; but that we do what the Lord requires of our own self.

And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
Now we can freely pour out our heart to Him. We can ask for direction - even saying Lord would you show me more than at present I know? We can reveal our unanswered questions.

Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
And while we may not get the full game plan, He gives us reassurance of His presence and His care.

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
Moses, rightfully, doesn't want to proceed without this provision.

For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
In what is it that it is known that we have found grace in God's sight? In that it can be seen that He is with us! Being separated is necessary for this to be seen. (Not to remove ourselves from sinners as some would assume, but from sin).

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