So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.” (Exodus 33:17, NKJV)
We sat chatting about our week and I shared a thought which was stirring in me. He sat, shaking his head and replied, “You’re crazy. That is never going to happen.”
Now maybe he is right but what if he isn’t?
I had read the above verse earlier in the morning. In this portion of Scripture, we find Moses asking for the very thing no one was supposed to be able to obtain – and that was to “see God and live” (Exodus 33:20). Moses had to know already and yet we find him asking for this very thing.
Moses, being called to lead God’s people out of Egypt and into their Promiseland, needed more than victory over his enemies. In fact, he needed more:
- than God’s power to lead the people
- more than their physical needs to be met
- more than another miracle
He wanted something never before experienced – proof of the overwhelming Presence of the Lord. And he wasn’t settling for less.
He asked for, and received, what no one else had experienced – he personally saw the glory of the Lord pass before him. God’s very hand hid him in the crevice of the rock until the glory of the Lord had passed.
Moses saw the glory of the Lord from behind and lived to talk about it.
He would have missed this experience if he had never asked. Here’s the lesson I am learning from this:
- Moses had guts. Seriously. He had the guts to ask and to ask boldly for something no one had ever asked before.
- God honored his request. Maybe, just maybe, God likes it when we pray big.
- Maybe if what we are asking, aligns with God’s will and ultimately brings Him glory, He responds.
So back to me. I am not sure how God is going to respond to my prayers right now. But I know this – I want to find out.
This much I know for certain – no matter how my prayers are answered,
He will teach me something more about Himself in my asking.
And that will make it all worth the asking!
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and True Story and RaRa Linkup and Intentional Tuesday .
Such a good reminder to pray with boldness! We have not because we ask not (1 John 3:22). I am going to start praying boldly for something that is in my heart, and see where it leads. Visiting you from the RaRa Linkup!
I am beginning to realize – He can answer “no”, “yes” or “not now” but we do get an answer. Praying that in asking, you see it leads to where He truly knows best. Blessings!
He is always up to something, isn’t he? I love your confidence, Joanne. I need this reminder to be bold in my prayers. I pray God answers yours in the loveliest of ways!
Laura, the lesson in all this is that one way or another, He does answer. It doesn’t mean I get the answer I want but instead, get the answer He deems best. So grateful you took the time to share here! Blessings!
The worst He can say is, “no” right?! And that is bathed in grace and His perfect will. Cheering you on as you pray those BIG prayers and takes those broad steps of faith! #testimonytuesday
You are so right, Tiffany! But no matter the answer He gives, it will always be the one which is best for us.
Oh yes – I love this, Joanne! I am a huge believer in praying specifically – and in praying big! I love that Moses asked such a thing and that God answered him, protecting him as He passed. I also love that when God shows us His glory passing… He is showing us a glimpse of what lies ahead in the future! It was a bit prophetic, whatever Moses caught a vision of… and he was forever changed! Praying with you for whatever big thing is stirring in you, friend! God is able and willing!
Karrilee, love your thoughts here. Love that no matter the answer our God will give us, we will forever be changed for having asked!
Joanne, your boldness encourages me to bold prayers knowing “He will teach me something more about Himself in my asking.” Thank you, Joanne, for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing. : )
Crystal, there is much for us to learn both in the asking and in the receiving of the answer.
Know this that God also knows YOUR name, so your request is not too difficult for Him. Our God is an awesome God and we often do not ask largely enough. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
Hazel, I agree with you – I think our problem is we ask too small. Perhaps it is as we realize the greatness of our God, our prayers will also be big. May you have a blessed weekend!
I’m not sure why it’s so hard for us to believe that He hears and He answers. I suppose it’s because we don’t always get the answer we want. At least that’s true for me. Thanks for the reminder to be faithful to ask and listen and wait.
Holly, I am learning this > even when we do not get the answer we wanted, He still answered with what He knew was best. May we trust Him no matter the answer we receive. Blessings!
Yes! this is speaking to me. I want to see God’s glory big time! I want to pray over this. I am on a search for more and more presence and you make my heart realize I have to pray more and more for this. Cheering you from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
Kelly, praying God answers you in the sweetest way!