January 6, 2002
“But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.” Exodus 33:2 (NIV)
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 (NIV)
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
What a picture we see here. First, Moses was put in the cleft of the rock for he could not see the face of God and live. Second, we see that same God calling Lazarus out of the cleft of the rock, alive. What is the difference from the first to the second? Jesus!! Jesus is the rock. We are hidden in the cleft of the rock when we are in Jesus. We may not look on the face of God and live so we die to sin and live in Christ. We are told to seek his face always. When we seek him, we are changed, transformed, made new. We become like Jesus. We put on the garment washed white with his blood. He has taken our sin and made us able to stand before the God of all Ages. We stand near him. We stand in him. We are sheltered from the winds and the storms that rage. We stand firm on the Rock of Jesus.
Where Moses was called to hide in the cleft, we are called forth, alive! We are to proclaim the gospel, the good news of Jesus. We have been made dead to sin and alive in Christ. Jesus speaks to us to come forth out of the grave of death and sin and to live in him. We are no longer covered with the hand of God but with the blood of Jesus. Dip your robe in the blood that it becomes white as snow. Come; let us stand on the Rock that is higher than I. Come; let us stand in Jesus and know that the day is coming when we shall see him face to face!
Father, in Jesus name I thank you that you gave Moses shelter in the cleft of the rock for there we find comfort that you do shelter us. I praise your name that you called Lazaruth forth from that cleft into the presence of the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. I praise your name that you have dipped my robe in your blood and washed it white as snow. I seek your face, Almighty One. Let me see your face, your glory that I might be truly dead to sin and alive in Christ. Father, thank you that you sent the Rock of Salvation to seek and to save that which was lost. I praise your name that you sought me out and called me forth from the grave of sin and death. I praise your name that in death there is victory and we shall see your face forever! In Jesus name I am eternally grateful for what you have done for me, amen.
All rights reserved: Amy Seelbach
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