Nougat 9

What would it be like to live in the sure knowledge of God hearing your prayers? Would we do anything differently? Would we be puffed up? What would we pray for? A lot to consider in today’s Holy Nougat

“The LORD said to Moses, “I’ll do exactly what you’ve asked because you have my special approval, and I know you by name.”” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭17‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Noticed by God

At the time of this conversation between Moses and God, Moses had already established a solid relationship with God, had already received the 10 commandments and was also recognized, er … accepted, as the spiritual leader (and by virtue thereof, their navigator and strategist) for the Children of Israel.

They were not an easy bunch. In fact, I’m now thinking that it isn’t accidental that they were called ‘children’, because they certainly seem to have been spiritually immature. Grumbling, resisting both God and Moses, yearning for the old life – this was their routine. As a matter of fact, God’s conversation with Moses in our Nougat stemmed from another one of their shenanigans. And that one was extremely offensive.

Jealous and intolerant of Moses’ time with Adonai, the Children of Israel, opted out of worshiping Adonai. After some coercion they convinced Aaron to help them erect a visible god. Gone was the gratitude for rescue from Egypt, the visible proof of Adonai’s presence and protection; in its stead was a likeness to the gods of their oppressors! This was a direct violation of the 1st Commandment!

As could be expected, their actions displeased God, to the extent that God told Moses that God’s presence would no longer be with the Children of Israel. And Moses was called to be mediator. I don’t know what I would have done. But siblings, this is where Moses’s standing with God mattered. His was the task of pleading with God for the sake of people who dissed him. He negotiated with God to continue to journey AND to be Lord over them in the Land of God’s Promise.

God’s response is our message of salvation! Moses’s actions foreshadowed Christ. We also are being led out of bondage into the Land of God’s Promise. We also have violated God’s laws time and time again. We continue to ask for the leeks and onions of our time of slavery to sin. We also have created golden idols to wantonly worship, condemning us to life outside of God’s presence.

Jesus Christ stepped in, negotiated on our behalf – with His Life – and has secured our restoration in God’s good graces. It’s as though God said to Jesus, “I’ll do exactly what you’ve asked because you have my special approval, and I know you by name.” And that’s why our space is secured in Heaven, despite our sinful nature.

What’s even more mind blowing, is that when we accept Jesus Christ’s lordship, we also become as ones who are sinless, the righteousness of God IN Jesus. And we can also intercede on behalf of others. God sees us and is listening to us. Armed with this knowledge, I invite us to consider again – Will we do anything differently? Are we being puffed up? What/who will we pray for?

—

May all we seek be found in Christ