Exodus 33:13 "If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so I may know You and continue to find favor with You. Remember that this nation is Your people."
For the last several months, I've been in a dry spell in my spiritual walk. I've been consistently having my quiet time; I've been praying; and I've been asking God to let me hear Him. I've been doing all the "right" things to grow in my walk with the Lord. I know God is there. I know He's with me. I have no doubt in these facts. But for whatever reason, in this season of my life, God has been, in many ways, silent.
I've said it more times than I can remember, "If you're not growing, you're dying." And right now, I do not feel as though I'm growing spiritually. This haunts me, really. I so desperately want to have a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus each day. It's been frustrating, to say the least.
Have you been there? Can you relate? Maybe you're there now. No one ever said that living this Christian walk is an easy one. Yet, we must be determined to stay the course, no matter what obstacles or difficult situations come our way. The truth is, satan wants nothing more than to discourage us to the point of giving up. The truth also is that sometimes God is just silent. He's not silent necessarily because of sin in our lives, either. No, sometimes God just chooses to be silent to build our faith. He chooses to be silent to grow us, even if we don't feel like that's the case.
In the book of Exodus, Moses demonstrated amazing determination and faith. Determination and faith that serve as an example to me, especially right now. Look at the verse for the week. Moses boldy asks the Lord, "If you are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so that I may know You and continue to find favor with You." He then later goes on in verse fifteen to ask God to not let Him go anywhere without His presence being there. Basically, he says, "I'm not moving unless you're moving with me!" Finally, in verse eighteen, Moses makes a bold petition: "Show me Your glory."
Are you determined to stay the course, even when God is silent? Are you determined, like Moses, to not take a step without God? Sometimes we make decisions and ask God for His blessings "after the fact." But like Moses, we should be so aware of God's presence that we don't make a move without His leading. Are you bold enough and do you have the faith to ask God to show you His glory?
If you know me, you know I'm a pretty stubborn girl. I guess that's a good thing in this case, because I'm determined to not give up. I know God is choosing to be silent so I can learn more about His character. I know I'm on the right track, and I know He's not going to be silent forever.
Will you be like Moses and ask God to show you His ways so that you will find favor with Him?
I love the song "Fire Fall Down." May we all be as bold as Moses and ask God, "Show me Your glory!" That's my prayer today.
Fire Fall Down (Hillsong)
Cause I know that you're alive
You came to fix my broken life
And I'll sing to glorify
Your Holy name, Jesus Christ
You bought my life with the blood
That you shed on the cross
When you died for the sins of men
And you let out a cry, crucified
Now alive in me
These hands are yours
Teach them to serve
As you please and I'll reach out
Desperate to see all the greatness of God
May my soul rest assured in you
I'll never be the same
No I'll never be the same
Cause I know that you're alive
You came to fix my broken life
And I'll sing to glorify
Your Holy name, Jesus Christ
You've changed it all
You broke down the wall
When I spoke and confessed
In you I am blessed
Now I walk in the light
In victorious sight of you
Fire fall down
Fire fall down
On us we pray
As we seek
Fire fall down
Your fire fall down
On us we pray
Show me your heart
Show me your way
Show me your glory
---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com