To Hear His Voice, to See His Glory

When we were getting ready to name one of our five children, I remember some “advice” from “Readers Digest.” They advised to choose a name, then stand and the back door and yell it one hundred times. If you still liked it by then, that was the one to name your child. Although I never tried it, five children later certainly gives me a better understanding why they gave that advice!

To hear or not to hear . . . that is the question! 

To hear and understand is even better. In our modern world of constant technological communication, we find ourselves without the benefit of voice inflection, tone, articulation . . . Much of what we do is simply words on some kind of screen to relay a message as quickly as possible.

One couple who were going through some marriage difficulties got to the place where they simply couldn’t communicate face to face, so, they texted from different rooms of the SAME house! “At least they were communicating” I can hear someone say. True, but I’m not sure it held long term value!

Moses, the great man of faith and Friend of God desired to commune with Him, face to face. He had written down the “text” God had given for His people on tablets of stone. He had heard His voice on numerous occasions, in numerous ways, for numerous things! He had represented Him before Pharoah, had followed Him, leading out His chosen people. He had seen Him in a pillar of fire, and watched Him in a cloud of smoke. He had seen the miracles He performed – had witnessed His Power in God-sized proportions. Yet, perhaps it was the times when God spoke to Moses, “face to face,” as “friend with friend,” that created in Moses the longing to see His glory.

He had to climb a mountain and be alone to even get close. And, although our wise Father knew our human frame could not bear to look upon the full glory revealed in His face, He answered the request of His servant according to His will.

There, in the cleft of the rock, Moses experienced the Presence of God as never before. He could not look upon God’s face and live, but as God passed by, He was able to see His back.

Following this glorious time, once again God gave to Moses the instructions for His people. He made an everlasting covenant with them. Moses didn’t just “hear.” He heard – he understood – he obeyed. The shine on Moses face when He returned to the people was a mighty testimony that he had been with God Almighty – He had seen a portion of His glory.

Oh, God. My heart cry is to commune with you, face to face. To more than “hear” but to understand and apply what You have to say to me. May I take the time to spend in Your Presence so Your shine will be on my face, creating a hunger in others to know YOU!

In Jesus’ name, Amen

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two Tablets of the Testimony in His hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.” Exodus 34:29