Keep Moving Towards the Deep End

 

Missionary John Paton never forgot his father’s deeply ingrained habits of daily devotions. Day after day, he would hear his father praying in the next room of the little cottage where he lived, and even as a boy of six, he noticed the bright countenance his father perpetually wore. He later said that while the outside world might not understand the light on his father’s face, "we children knew that it was a reflection of the Divine Presence in which his life was lived." 

Paton recalled, "Never in temple or cathedral, or mountain, can I hope to feel that the Lord God is more near, more visibly walking and talking with men, than under that humble cottage roof of thatch and oaken wattles. Though everything else in religion were by some unthinkable catastrophe to be swept out of memory, my soul would wander back to those early scenes, and would shut itself up once again in that sanctuary closet, and, hearing still the echoes of those cries to God, would hurl back all doubt with the victorious appeal: He walked with God; why may not I?" 

In Exodus 33 the Israelites were on the way to the Promised Land. God had promised to send an angel to drive enemies out of their way. But Moses said to him, “if your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here”.  For Moses, it was not enough to know that he would make it to the Promised Land. He wanted to enjoy the presence of God every day, all the way; and at the end of the journey say like Jacob “the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day” (Gen. 48:15).

Moses knew that the secret of enjoying God’s presence and rest, was keeping his heart right with God. So, he prayed “teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you”. He was saying, "God, let me know you even better than I already do. Reveal to me more of yourself. And, Lord don’t just show me what you do, show me why you do it”. This prayer was answered; many years later David wrote "he made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel" (Ps. 103:7).

In Exodus 34: 5-7 God revealed some of his ways to Moses in a dramatic way. He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

In Psalm 86 David, possibly remembering the relationship between Moses and God, prayed “guard my life, for I am faithful to you... You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.... You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger , abounding in love and faithfulness...Lord, no deeds can compare to yours...teach me your way, Lord. that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name...show your strength in behalf of your servant... give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it" 

The Israelites saw God’s miracles (Deut.26:8-11). With such a powerful God in their midst you'd think they would have had a heart full of rest. But they were constantly murmuring. God said “they tried me, though they had seen what I did. For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘they are a people whose hearts go astray and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘they shall never enter my rest”(Ps. 95: 8-11, Heb. 3:10).

God promises his people a life of peace and rest in His presence. But this restful, peaceful living depends on your remaining faithful and obedient to God alone. Then “the God of peace, that great Shepherd of the sheep will equip you with everything good for doing his will and work in you what is pleasing to him” (Heb 13:20-21). And, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil.4:7).

Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us... How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Moses wanted something for Israel that would show that they were not just like all the other nations. That could only be the unique, powerful presence of their God. It is only God’s presence that sets apart his people from others.  

Before they left Egypt God said “I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land...the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt , so that no animal belonging to Israel will die...among the Israelites not a dog will back at any person or animal. Then you will know that the Lord makes distinction between Egypt and Israel (Exodus 8:22; 9:4; 11:7).

In Exodus 19:3-6  God called Moses from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to ... tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Moses understood that Israel was to have a testimony to the pagan world that they worshiped and served the living God. If they had no Living God in their midst that meant there was no difference between them and the pagans! If God does not go with them, there is nothing distinct about the nation of Israel. God's purpose for Israel was to be a  a holy nation so that the pagans would see the distinction and desire to know the God that made Israel so distinctive.

God's intention for the Jewish nation had always been that they might be a light to the Gentiles. Paul told the Jews "for this is what the Lord has commanded us ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 13:47). Paul quoted from Isaiah 42:6 which says “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles”.

Apostle Peter wrote “Now to you who believe…you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light...now you are the people of God… you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2). God desires that his children become blameless and pure...without fault in a warped and crooked generation...shining among them like stars in the sky (Phil 2:14-16).

God kept his word “my presence will go with you” even after Moses death.  In Psalm 78:52-55 we are told “he led them like sheep through the wilderness. He guided them safely, so they were  unafraid ; but the sea engulfed their enemies. And so he brought them to the border of his holy land, to the hill country his right hand had taken. He drove out nations before them and allotted their land to them as an inheritance; he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.God personally did all these things because he was present.

In situations that seem overwhelming, we can trust that our Sovereign Lord knows all, is in control, and lovingly works everything for our good. Despite life's uncertainties and challenges, believers can find peace and security by fully trusting in God's unwavering commitment to his promises. This allows them to "rest" in his reliability and not be overwhelmed by worry or doubt. Even when circumstances seem difficult, God's faithfulness remains constant, providing a foundation for true rest and peace.

And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name. Then Moses said "now show me your glory (Ex.33:18). He got a “yes” answer from God when he asked for the presence of God to remain with Israel. God agreed to “show me your ways that I may know you." Yet he was still not satisfied. He prayed ‘Show me your glory”.

Moses had already seen some glory of God yet he wanted more (Ex. 16:10; 24:16-17; 40:34-38). He sensed that he had not seen anything yet; he prayed to be taken yet a step nearer, “Let me have a glimpse into your divine nature”. He hungered for more  experiences with God. He had grown in faith and boldness, for in his initial encounter with God at the burning bush (Ex. 3:6) Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God." Now he is asking God to show him His glory! 

In Ezekiel 47:1-6 we see a powerful picture of increasing progress and depth in the spiritual life. In a vision Ezekiel was standing near the temple. He saw a river flowing directly from the temple to the east. At first the water was trickling in small quantity. A guide led him into the river. As they continued, the river became deeper starting at ankle depth, then up to his knees, then his waist. It soon came to the point where the water was over Ezekiel’s head and all he could do was swim.

When it was clear that the water was too deep for Ezekiel, his guide asked him, “Son of man, do you see this?”Then he led him back to the bank of the river. He wanted Ezekiel to carefully think about what he saw and experienced. The purpose of bringing Ezekiel through the waters in vision was to reveal to him both the size and depth of the river. The trickle had become a veritable river as they progressed.

Ezekiel’s vision illustrates a spiritual progression from ankles, to depths where one can no longer touch the ground and must swim. The river of God is deep and wide. There is a lot to know about God and his ways in this life. God’s people should read Ezekiel’s vision and feel a call to keep going deeper. For some Christians, the ankle deep spiritual experience is all that they will ever get in this life. Others will not stop until they are swimming, carried along by God’s currents.