Don’t Go Without It

“How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:16(NIV)

It’s eleven days into 2022, and everyone seems to be chugging along. All different types of calendars are being filled out as plans for the year are being made.  New goals, new themes, new programs, and new events. Renovations, renewals, and relaunches.  I am sure that many of you are in the thick of at least one of these!

When thinking of where I am in all of this, I conclude that I am behind. Anyone else feel this way? The end of 2021 was a little rough for my family. We spent most of the month of December at home as COVID moved through our household of 6. It seems almost impossible to escape it once it enters your home. The course of illness was mild for most of us, with my husband enduring the worst of it. But we made it through and returned to the real world five days before Christmas. Then 2022 appeared right before my eyes!

Thankfully, God works through times of doubt, weakness, struggle, and inadequacy.

As I move through the closing out 2021, while simultaneously moving on to 2022, I am reminded of two important spiritual truths brought to us by Moses in Exodus 33:

–Don’t go without His PRESENCE

–Show us Your GLORY

Moses had been called by the Lord through the burning bush to bring the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3) and lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey. A land of PROMISE.  Because of his obedience, the Lord delivered and saved the Israelites from hundreds of years of enslavement by Pharoah. But the challenges were far from over. As you know, the Israelites were a difficult and doubting group of people. Many times over, their actions showed that they had completely forgotten what had been done for them. At one point, even the Lord has decided to withdraw His presence from them because of their sin (Exodus 33:3). Moses reminds the Lord of the covenant that had been made, and that this nation is His people. You see, Moses did not relent in holding on to what the Lord had promised him and the Israelites.  Not only that, Moses wanted MORE. He wanted to see the glory of God!

Each of us has promises and a calling from the Lord. This may be the year of fruition for those things.  Either way, we shouldn’t go a step further without His presence and a desire to see His glory in 2022. 

So, how does one do this?

First, make His PRESENCE the PRIORITY.  Soak in His Word, sing His praises, and seek Him in prayer. Moses didn’t want to make a move without the Lord. He knew that the presence of God distinguished him and the Israelites from others. David reminds us in Psalm 16:11 that, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Second, LOOK toward what is ahead. Moses was leading these people toward the promise. Looking behind was for remembrance only, and the Israelites needed the reminder frequently so they could keep moving ahead. Paul writes to the Philippian church, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:14)

Third, ASK the Lord to show you His glory in 2022.  Moses came right out and asked in Exodus 33:18.  His heart was set on seeing more of God.

Let’s ILLUMINATE with God’s presence in 2022.

Let’s keep pressing forward in 2022.

Let’s ask for His glory to be evident in everything that we do in 2022.

We don’t want to go without you Lord!