“And he said, ‘Please, show me Your glory.’" (Exodus 33:18)
Moses makes this statement following the events of the children of Israel making and worshipping a golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving instructions from God (Exodus 32). When Moses finds out what they had done, in his anger he breaks the tablets of stone which God had given to him containing the commandments. He grinds the golden calf into powder and makes the people of Israel drink it (Exodus 32:20). Moses also has the Levites kill those guilty of promoting this great sin of idol worship (Exodus 32:27-28). Then Moses pleads with God to forgive the people of this great sin (Exodus 32:31-32).
To say the least, Moses had a rough day as a leader of God’s people. He must have felt at the end of his rope. Moses asks God to “show me Your glory” (Exodus 33:18). God will pass before Moses and cover Moses with His hand and allow Moses to see His back (Exodus 33:22-23). God knew Moses needed some encouragement. Seeing God’s glory would encourage Moses to keep on leading God’s people.
Often, as we serve God we get discouraged. We get discouraged by the world around us which often doesn’t care about God. We get discouraged with different trials we face. We even get discouraged by our own brethren in Christ at times when they indifferent about serving God.
We all need to stop and behold the glory of God. His glory is all around us as is seen in the marvelous creation all around us. Take time today to look up and see the glory of God and be encouraged and uplifted by Him!
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:1-3)