That I May Know You

Moses, charged by Jehovah God to lead His chosen people from slavery in Egypt to a land promised to their ancestor, Abraham, a land flowing with milk and honey, found himself responsible for approximately 3.5 million children of Israel. This nation, which had grown from one family that had originally entered Egypt, was described variously as stubborn, stiff-necked, rebellious, disobedient, and obstinate. When Moses ascended into the fire and smoke of Mount Horeb to meet with Jehovah to receive the ten commandments written on stone by His own divine hand, we find that these people were also impatient. Rather than waiting on God’s word to them, they collected the gold that God had taken from the Egyptians and had given to them. Further, they threatened Aaron with his life to make a calf from the gold, a god they could see, but one that could not see them.

Exodus 33:13

“Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you.”

Stubborn, stiff-necked, rebellious, disobedient, obstinate, and impatient: nevertheless, they remained God’s chosen people out of all the people on the earth. It is understandable that Moses, knowing now the challenge he faced in fulfilling God’s call on his life, would entreat Him for His direction! It was obvious by this time that any ideas or plans Moses may have had for crossing that wilderness would be woefully lacking.

The heart of the great man, however, is revealed in the next words of his plea, “That I may know You.” Of course, Moses needed Holy direction and guidance, but this is not what he requests. He is not making a prayer to know what to do or where to turn next. He is asking from his position of favor with the Lord for a deeper intimacy with his Creator. He extends his hand in desperate hope that it would be grasped by that of the Father and that they might walk in richer connection with each other.

What Do You Want From God?

Do you pray primarily to know God’s will and focus for your life and those for whom you are responsible, or do you seek Him from your desire to know Him more? When you look to understand His ways, are you pursuing rules or relationship? Do you hunger and thirst for knowledge or for true friendship with the Lord? Are you targeting His ways to secure solutions for your dilemmas, doubts, and disagreements, or do you yearn for affection, closeness, communion, familiarity, and understanding?

I know, I know, we are taught in Scripture to seek the Father for our needs, (even though He knows them before we ask). We are to pray to the Lord of the Harvest for laborers into His fields, (even though He is aware of the great deficit). We are also to be interceding for our leaders, (even though He holds the heart of kings in His hands to turn them as He will). And we are to forsake the anxieties, pressures, and worries of this present age by making our requests known unto God, (for He intends to replace those abrasive conditions with His peace that we cannot comprehend). Yes! God wants to involve us in His holy kingdom work, and our supplications are vital to fulfill that great purpose.

However, when we, much like Moses, become overwhelmed with the demands of this life, it is tempting, in the interest of expedience, to forgo the development of our passion for the Lord and just make sure we get Him involved in these pressing issues. However, without that burning desire of heart to draw ever closer to our Lord and Savior, supplication alone comes with a subtle danger. Without craving the divine revelation of Himself to us, we, slowly and over time, even in our consistent prayers, can begin to see Him only as our “fixer.” We ask, He answers. We ask, He answers. We ask, He answers for He is forever faithful.

But do you take time to remember that He has called you His beloved bride?
Do you prioritize your response to His presence by striving to know Him as the joy of your desire?
Do you wait for Him anxiously to reveal Himself as the lover of your soul?
Do you crave to know Him more deeply and more personally?
Or are you satisfied with the way things are now?

Not I!
My heart burns to be closer to Jesus and when He draws me nearer to His side, it continually causes me to yearn for even more closeness. When I sense any cooling of the passion in my soul for Him, I cry out hungrily and ravenously,
“Rekindle the flame of my first love for You!
Spirit of the Living God, let your holy wind blow upon the coals of my zeal for You until there burns again a raging fire of desire!”

Pray With Me
“Show me Your ways, O Lord, for I want to know You more than yesterday, more than this morning, more than twenty minutes ago! Until the day of Your appearing when I see You fully revealed in Your majesty, let me come to know You more and more as I am changed from glory to glory in Your holy presence. Reveal to me the fullness of Your heart of mercy, grace, and love as we share sweet communion in the secret place.”

“The greatest thing in all my life
is knowing You.

The greatest thing in all my life
is knowing You.

I want to know You, Lord,
I want to know You more.

The greatest thing in all my life
is knowing You.”