Today’s Scripture: Exodus 33:13-14
“Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Safety consists not in the absence of danger, but in the presence of God. God rescues us from hidden traps, shields us from deadly hazards and protects us from dangers and disasters. We must seek to abide continually in His presence because that is where we find safety and succour.
Charles Ryrie wrote the following story: “The three-year-old felt secure in his father’s arms as Dad stood in the middle of the pool. But Dad, for fun, began walking slowly toward the deep end, gently chanting, “Deeper and deeper and deeper,” as the water rose higher and higher on the child. The lad’s face registered increasing degrees of panic as he held all the more tightly to his father, who, of course, easily touched the bottom. Had the little boy been able to analyze his situation, he would have realized there was no reason for increased anxiety. The water’s depth in ANY part of the pool was over his head. Even in the shallowest part, had he not been held up, he would have drowned. The presence of the father guaranteed the boy’s safety. He could even fall asleep on his father’s shoulder and still be safe.”
In the same vein, God’s Presence gives us rest. We sometimes are out of depth in many areas of life, and almost drown in our problems, but we can trust the Presence of God to keep us above the waters, always. Moses refused to proceed without the Presence of God when the Israelites were about to face their greatest challenge yet. Moses knew their continued existence as a nation depended on nothing else but the Presence of God. And hear what God says to Moses, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” His Presence is a sure guarantee of rest, and because your body is the temple of God, and you are His dwelling place, your rest is guaranteed. Be conscious of His Presence everywhere you go. Cultivate His Presence. Live with a continuous attitude of worship and thanksgiving. You will find rest always, in Jesus’ name.
Memorize & Meditate:
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’” Deuteronomy 33:27
Prayer/Confession:
Father, I thank You that in You I find safety and rest for my soul. I realize that I am an overcomer because You are always with me and will never leave me. I find rest in the Presence of God, in Jesus’ name.
