February 2 - Show Me Your Glory

 Read today’s texts first: Exodus 33 & 34; Psalms 16; Acts 9

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY 

If God is not with us, how are we different, and if we are not different, how can we make a difference in others?

Rod Tidwell thought he taught Jerry Maguire well with his mantra, “show me the money!” Saying it loud and saying it often doesn’t make it worthwhile. They both missed it, along with everyone else who has pursued the so-called American dream! Now Moses, he figured it out - where the real value is! It took him 80 years, from Pharaoh’s palace to the backside of the desert, but he finally came to the end of himself and the beginning of God’s power.  I’ve learned so much from his prayers, particularly the one found in Exodus 33: 

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.  The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.  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?”   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.” (33:13-18) 

If God is not with us, then how are we different from anyone else in the world, and if we’re not different, then how can we make a difference in others?  It’s the presence of Jesus that makes the difference, in our lives and through our lives.  God answered the prayer of Moses with a display of His glory that left his face shining for days later.

Something similar happened to Saul in our New Testament reading, but this time it was a result of the prayers of those he was persecuting.  That blinding encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus was enough to turn Saul into Paul, two completely different men.  It says that at once he began to preach (9:20) to the astonishment of the disciples who had been harassed by him for doing the same thing!

“Lord, it’s Your glory that makes the difference.  I don’t want to go anywhere or do anything without the radiance of Your presence filling my life.  It’s a good prayer so I’m praying it now: show me Your glory!”