Series: Renewal
2 Peter 1:17-21 ESV
I John 4:12 ESV
Exodus 33:12-16 ESV
Exodus 33:18-20 ESV
Matthew 17:1-8 ESV
It’s difficult for humans to imagine the Holiness and Majesty of God.
We can read about it in scripture.
We can experience part of God when we pray.
Some have even dreamed about it…
But those are all a snapshot version of the real truth.
In 2 Peter 1:17-21 we are told, “when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Even as it’s described in scripture it is only a brief picture of the fullness of the Glory of God.
In 1 John 4:12 we read, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
We do not see the fullness of God but we can feel God.
When God met with Moses on the mountain He only allowed Moses to see his back. In Exodus 33:12-16 we get a clue about how God interacts with man. “Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”
Notice Moses pleaded with God asking God to show him the ways of God.
We also notice that God promised His presence would go with His people and God would give rest.
Those same promises go with us today. We can ask to know (and see) the ways of God. We can ask God to show us His presence and give us rest.
Continuing on in Exodus 33:18-20 Moses pressed on wanting to know more about God.
“Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”
And so it was.
Moses was allowed to see God, but he did not see God’s face because God knew Moses would not live.
It was not yet time for Moses to see God’s face. He had more to do on earth.
While scripture doesn’t specify why he could not see God’s face, it seems like if he saw God’s face…if he looked into His Holy eyes, he would never want to look away.
The beauty and majesty of God is so wonderful that we will not be able or willing to look away and return to earth.
In 2 Peter 1:17-21 that we read earlier he remembered the day Jesus was transformed before his eyes.
In Matthew 17:1-8 we are told what happened that day. “Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”
Peter, James, and John saw Jesus change before their eyes. He was transformed. Then Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with him.
Then as if that wasn’t enough and he heard the voice of God speak truth.
When God spoke a bright cloud came over them and they literally heard the voice of God.
While the disciples had been attentive and ready to commemorate the event by building three tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, when they heard the audible voice of God they fell to their faces in terror.
Then notice that Jesus calmed their fears.
Even hearing God’s voice was terrifying.
That’s because God is Holy (Leviticus 20:26). God is eternal Creator (Isaiah 40:28). The Lord is light and salvation (Psalm 27:1). And God is love (I John 4:16).
That same God, THE God is the same yesterday, today, and into all our tomorrows.
Spiritual Practice: Turn
Close your eyes and think of God. Lean in toward God and sigh. Breathe in God’s love. In doing so you’ll know a piece of eternity.
In God, Deborah
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