[reprinted from October 17, 2011]
Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.†Exodus 33:15 (NLT)
The LORD reigns! Let the peoples tremble.
He is enthroned above the cherubim.
Let the earth quake. Â Â Â Â Psalm 99:1 (HCSB)
Lectionery Texts: Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-21
Have you ever experienced an earthquake? Or had a tornado come through your town or over your head? Or a Category 5 hurricane blow across your area? The power of such natural disasters is spell-binding when seen on a movie or television screen but terrifying when it is lived out first hand. It is this kind of power that the writer of the psalm compares to God. But God created the wind, the earth, and the sea from which these come from, so He is more powerful than even these.
Moses went from Pharoah’s palace to making his way alone through the desert and then marrying in a foreign land. He became a shepherd for his father-in-law until that day in the mountain when he met God in a burning bush. God chose Moses to speak to Pharoah and lead His people to the Promised Land. Moses in no way felt he was qualified for that job! Moses found out the depth of God’s love for him and the rest of His children as he argued and whined his way through plagues and the walk across the Red Sea. The words of Moses is expressed from a heart that has learned from experience. Without the presence of God in my life, I will become lost.
…and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with the joy from the Holy Spirit. Â Â 1 Thessalonians 1:6 (HCSB)
I have often heard people say that as soon as they committed their lives to Jesus “all hell broke looseâ€. I am part of that group. But it was also during this time that I repeated Moses’ words, “LORD, if You aren’t with me, I will never make it through so do not send me out of Your presence.†God is faithful in all times but it seems that in difficult times I “tune in†to hear His voice and argue less.
As my relationship with my LORD continues to grow and evolve, I pray for His wisdom and guidance through each season of my life. The psalm writer proclaims his witness that when I call on God, He will answer. So I will continue to fall on my knees and seek His face and sit at His feet to learn what and who is on His heart. I want to imitate my LORD. That makes my heart tremble with anticipation and holy fear.
