Before the Next Step ናሙና

Chasing God's Glory 

At the end of the book of Exodus, Moses is preparing to lead the Israelites from their campsite in the desert on to the land God promised them. Moses, however, has one request before moving forward. “Show me your glory,” he asks God. 

Moses is asking God for a revelation of himself. He wants to know more of God. He wants to experience the radiance of God’s beauty and perfection. 

Moses understands that his calling as a leader is not dependent upon his abilities but upon his connection with God! Knowing and experiencing more of God is what will equip him to lead well. 

God agrees, saying he will pass before Moses and show him his glory. God descends in a cloud, and as he passes before Moses, he proclaims who he is: He is merciful and gracious, understanding the weakness of his people and showing compassion. He is slow to anger. He is abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 

Moses responds in worship. Exodus tells us that, because he saw God’s glory, Moses’s face is literally shining! It is so bright that he has to put a veil over it when he interacts with other people!

The New Testament book of Mark connects Jesus to this display of God’s glory. Mark 6:48 says that Jesus “passed by” his disciples, in the same way God “passed by” Moses. As God the Son, Jesus displayed the glory of God for all the world to see. 

In the way he loved and cared for people, Jesus displayed God’s compassion. In his teaching and example-setting, Jesus displayed God’s truth. In his sacrificial death for our sin, Jesus displayed God’s mercy and love. And in his resurrection to life, Jesus displayed the ultimate picture of God’s glory. Now, believers can gaze upon the glory of the Lord in Christ!

If you are in Christ, God has placed a calling on your life. Just like Moses, God has called you to lead people to him. In the way you live, in the way you love, in the way you share the hope of the Gospel, you are an ambassador for Christ. And just like Moses, what you need most to equip you in this calling is to know God!

I want to encourage you to chase after God’s glory. Relentlessly seek to know more of who God is through studying his word, talking to him in prayer, spending time with other believers, and abiding in his presence wherever you go and in whatever you do. Because of Jesus, you can see God’s glory in an even greater capacity than Moses could! As you behold the glory of God and as God transforms you, you will radiate with the light of Christ. 

Fix your eyes on the glory of the Lord, letting your pursuit of it direct and guide you along your journey ahead.