Exodus 33

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle. Exodus 33:11 NKJV

Moses was completely unique in Israel in that he “spoke to God face to face as a man speaks to a friend.”  As Christians taught by the Holy Spirit we have a similar privilege.  Jesus says: “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).  He also tells us: “the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things” (John 14:26).  It’s good to be friends with Jesus!

Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:12-14 NKJV

Moses had a large responsibility, being asked to lead the entire nation of Israel.  He knew he needed God’s guidance and God’s help.  God told Moses, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (verse 14).  That is all we need, God’s presence and His rest.  No matter how difficult our circumstances are, the knowledge of His presence will strengthen and enable us to do whatever we need to do.  God will teach us the importance of being adaptable, keeping our eyes on Him, and not focusing on our own plans.  We need to want God’s will more than our own.  If things do not work out the way we want them to, we need to stay relaxed and trust Him to show us what to do.  When we are upset, we cannot hear clearly from the Lord; therefore, we need to pursue peace at all times.  When plans do not go the way we expect them to, we have two options: We can get upset and frustrated, or we can trust God.  Psalms 91:1 encourages us, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”  We need to realize that God is our Refuge and our Fortress.  We can rely on and confidently trust in Him.