A REVELATION OF GOD

In answer to his heart’s cry, Moses received confirmation of God’s presence. God said:

… “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

But God’s presence wasn’t enough to satisfy the cry of Moses’ heart. He didn’t stop there. Moses pressed on in and boldly asked, “…I beseech thee, shew me thy glory” (Exodus 33:18).

There is a difference between beholding God’s presence and possessing the glory. Many people go their entire Christian lives without experiencing either of these. A few press on beyond the point of blessing to experience God’s presence and power. Very few, however, persevere to receive a revelation of God’s glory.

Moses wanted more than just God’s presence — His guidance, provision, blessing, and power. This wasn’t enough for him. He wanted a manifestation of God’s glory. He knew there was something more than His presence and so he cried out, “Show me thy glory!”

And he [God] said, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” And he said, “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.”

And the Lord said,

“Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.” (Exodus 33:19-23)

God told Moses to stand upon a rock in a place by Him and His glory would be revealed. Partner, today we stand upon that Rock, Christ Jesus, Who is the greatest revelation and manifestation of the glory of God that the world has ever seen! Only when we stand there — upon that Rock — will we receive a true revelation of God’s glory.

When God’s glory was revealed to Moses…

…The Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed,” The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. (Exodus 34:5-8)

The manifestation of God’s glory always results in a greater revelation of God Himself. God proclaimed His name to Moses, which means He revealed the very essence of Who He was.