“My Presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”
Exodus 33:14
Moses had just come down from Mt. Sinai with the tables of stone and observed the idolatrous activity of his people. About 30,000 men (vs. 28) were dead, the people had repented, God promised to bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey, but Isael had lost faith in His pledge and in verse 13, he asks God to “shew me now thy way.” Our text is God’s response. God is telling Moses that he needed nothing else but His presence. His promise of pillars of fire by night and cloud by day were also promises of God’s eternal presence (cf. Ex. 13:21). God gave visible evidence of His Veracity and grace.
Christian, as you live your life, let me remind you that God’s presence is all we need! We have an eternal, forgiving and directing Lord, that promises us guidance along our way. His before the believer. Do you realize in our clay, earthen vessels resides the Holy Ghost, daily wooing us to our Saviour. Do you consider the answered daily prayer in your behalf by “the God of all comfort”. (II Cor. 1:3)? We should be confident and deeply encouraged by the mere thought of God’s presence in our lives.
The last phrase in God’s response to Moses ought to bring us great joy as well, “ I will give thee rest” Do you feel overwhelmed at times? Then this promise is for you! God’s rest is promised to the believer and secured by those that submit to Him. If Moses Received it, we are no less worthy than he was, and we shall be the