God is everything we need!
To have everything, but lack meaning, is to have nothing!
As humans, we experience envy for other people’s items, money, and sometimes their lives. It is important to remember that God is all we need! Worldly items may have a temporary satisfaction, but God’s presence grants us eternal love and care. It can be challenging to look to God in certain situations when it would be so much easier to fall into worldly temptations. God is everything we need. It is so important to remember that no matter what happens, God is with you through everything.
“God’s goodness is the root of all goodness; His mercy is the spring that waters the world.”
- James Allen
For this post, we will be focusing on Exodus 33. In the previous chapter, Moses went to speak to the Lord, and the people became “bored” while waiting for him to return. They decided that they would put all of their jewelry together to build a golden calf for them to worship in the meantime. God was so angry at what they had done, and he could have destroyed them right then and there. Moses advocated for the people, and chapter 33 is about God’s response.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. For the Lord had said to Moses, ‘Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’ So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb.”
There are 2 characteristics of God demonstrated during this moment:
God’s Glory!
God had given the people everything they needed, yet they still didn’t think it was enough. The people mourned over God when they realized they would no longer have God’s glory upon them. The Glory of God revealed is enough. We do not need anything more. God’s glory is not supposed to be added to our lives; it should be the center!
The Israelites had food, shelter, water, and they still didn’t think it was enough. It was only when they realized that they could lose those things that they started appreciating God’s glory over them. We should thank God every single day for the glory He displays in our lives!
God’s Mercy!
Read Exodus 33:12-17
important distinction: Grace - getting what we don’t deserve. Mercy - not getting what we do deserve.
Moses tells God that they do not want to go if He won’t be there. God pours out his mercy on the people even though they sinned against Him. God showed His merciful character towards His people even after He had already done everything He needed to for them.
God’s presence in our lives defines our personality. His presence is a fulfillment of every need we have. The Glory and Mercy of God intersect with the Person of Jesus. Our purpose is to know God and make God known. God wants us to ask for His glory and presence to be revealed the same way Moses did. God gives us His glory because we know that we can trust, rely, and count on Him.
God has blessed me in so many ways. God is with me (and you!) through the big and little things in life! There is no reason not to glorify and thank Him for all He has done. I challenge you, this week, to share God’s glory with someone else. Whether it is through your actions or words, I pray that you would shine with God’s goodness. God will meet you at any point in your life. It is NEVER too late to turn to Jesus, and I pray you would share that truth with someone this week.
“I have told you these thins, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move. When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through. When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You. I will trust in You.
“Trust in You” - Lauren Daigle
the opening line - "as humans, we experience envy for other people’s items, money, and sometimes their lives." - is so real & so right especially in the age of social media. the Israelites were envious of the other nation's kings & gods, & they got impatient during the wait for Moses to come back down from the mountain, so they took things in their own hands to become "better." when in reality, God has already given them everything that they needed & more! I needed this reminder that I do not have to make myself "better" because God has made me perfect in His eye & has given me everything I need! eternity in Heaven is not fleeting! 💒⛅️🥹🍯