If Thy Presence Go Not With Me

Exodus 33:12-15, “[12] 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. [13] 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. [14] And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. [15] And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”

I have always loved Moses’ response in this passage. This passage is a conversation between God and Moses as they journey through the wilderness. He told God that if God would not go with him, that he did not even want to go. Oh, if Christians would have that same mindset today.

Too many Christian today live and act as if they don’t need God at all times. They do not say it with their words, but they say it with their actions. It is a shame that many treat God as a 911 call instead of treating Him like our best friend. My pastor said, “The reason that people run to God is because they do not walk with Him.”

The thought today is quite simple. First, whether or not we want to realize and admit it, we need God. Everything we have comes from Him. Secondly, let us determine that we will not do anything without the Lord’s help. If we are going to do something, let us ask God to be with us. Our desire for God’s presence should be so great that the thought of continuing without Him would be unbearable. Oh how sweet it is to walk with the Lord knowing He is right beside you every step of the way.