Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
3/22 Reading Portions: Exodus 33; John 12; Proverbs 9; Ephesians 2
Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.
“If Your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” Exodus 33:15
PRAYER
Our prayer is an act of trust and submission to a sovereign God, who will answer us with either ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘wait,’ whatever His will and wisdom happens to be. We may never know the outcome or details of the answered prayer. Our finite understanding will surely never fathom the infinite wisdom of the depths of the Almighty’s workings. Yet, as every prayer is a submissive act which allows us to participate in the eternal plan of God in Christ, there is one prayer consistent among the saints of old which is sure to access the eternal veil and harness the heart and nail-pierced hand of heaven Himself. It is praying back to God His promise with simple understanding. In our passage today, YHVH God told Moses,
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
God had already told the prophet He was going with him; yet Moses, reiterates God’s truth and understands that it is foolish to go without Him. Pleased with the prayer of Moses, YHVH God promised to give Moses a glimpse of His glory as a result (Exo 33:19-20); and the LORD fulfilled His promise (Exo 33:21-23; 34:5-8).
We may, and must, do likewise. In another portion of today’s readings, the Lord Jesus said,
“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26
We might pray, “Lord, You’ve called me to serve, but how can I serve unless I am where You are? And Lord, I cannot be where You are unless You’ve empowered me to follow You? Lord, let not the Father honor me, unless I serve You; and let me not serve unless Your presence is in me to equip me, enable me, and empower me for the work.” Certainly, some might abuse this and use it wrongly as a formula, incantation, or mystic chant. We, however, pray by faith, trusting in the truth and plan of God to exalt and exhibit Christ.
Yes, praying back God’s promise shows
How His grace transforms all those
Sinners blest with servants’ hearts,
And from God’s promise, not depart.
