Encountering God’s Love: Face to FaceChikamu

Day Six: Intimacy

Deepening our intimacy with God can unlock our understanding of spiritual authority. 

When God first approached Moses at the burning bush and asked that he return to the place of his greatest failure, Moses balked at the invitation, fearful of the retribution. But after following the cloud by day and fire by night for many years, the one who feared to challenge Pharaoh confronted God. 

As we saw yesterday, in Exodus 33:15 Moses tells God that if his presence does not go with them, Moses would not move. He goes on further in boldness by asking God to ‘show me Your glory’ (v 18). Here was a man no longer afraid, but now empowered. 

He had faced death, uncertainty, rejection, humiliation, pain, confusion, ridicule, and impossibility while never once being left without the ever-present Presence as his companion and guide. So can we.

Our challenge becomes not getting distracted by the circumstance to the detriment of the relationship. God is for us, never against us. Where he leads, blessing follows – even if the blessing is not fully seen until years later, there will be a blessing. 

This is seen beautifully in Moses who did stand in the Promised Land, though not in the way he originally envisioned. Yet how much greater was this event as Moses was chosen to be one of only two men who stood on the Mount of Transfiguration speaking to Jesus, who was about to face the greatest trial in history. 

Moses had been a forerunner, standing on a mountain with a brightly radiant face (Ex. 34:29) preparing people for an exodus. In the same way, Jesus stood on this mountain, face radiant, speaking to Moses and Elijah about ‘his departure’ (Luke 9:31). In Greek, that word departure means exodus. Instead of touching the land as a leader and preparing the next generation to fight for their inheritance, Moses stood as a symbol for the soon-to-be risen Christ. God never forgets a promise or a blessing.

Moses’ choice to intentionally pursue, rest in safety, and walk-in boldness all led to a friendship and intimacy with his Father that closely resembled one many hundreds of years earlier – where a man and woman once stood before God naked and unashamed.

Moses had to learn a new dance, and so can we. It is a beautiful, intimate dance. One where a God in heaven stretches out his hand, eyes dancing with the light of love, heart filled with expectation and desire, inviting us to a new rhythm of love. This dance is forged in the flames of challenge and fueled by the strength of faith. An intimate dance that overcomes insecurity and welcomes vulnerability: face to face.

His hand is extended; will you accept?

Reflect: 

Is there any area that is ‘off limits’ to God? What would it look like to face that fear and trust his love to step into that hidden place?

Meditate on 1 Corinthians 13, imagining the Father speaking that over your life as a mirror to how he sees you. Remember, you have been created in his image after all.

This study has been based on Jen Baker’s book Face to Face, Life lessons from Moses - exploring intimacy with God. You can find more information on this book and other resources at jenbaker.co.uk. We pray this study has been a blessing to you, drawing you nearer to the Father’s extravagant love for you.

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