How can we strive to know God "face to face" like Moses? Setting the scene “Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” (Exodus 33:11) The account is literal: on the desert floor outside the camp, God and His servant conversed with unguarded clarity. Moses was not an unusual spiritual specimen; he was a man who responded to extraordinary grace with wholehearted surrender. The same God now invites every redeemed person into similar nearness. What ‘face to face’ meant for Moses • Uninterrupted fellowship—no mediator but God Himself in the cloud (Numbers 12:8). • Transparent dialogue—honest speech both ways. • Transforming presence—each encounter left Moses changed, even glowing (Exodus 34:29). Barriers removed through Christ • The veil of sin is torn (Matthew 27:51). • Bold access is granted: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near” (Hebrews 10:19-22). • The Spirit now indwells every believer, guiding into all truth (John 16:13). Foundational attitudes for face-to-face closeness • Hunger for God Himself, not merely His gifts (Psalm 27:8). • Humble awe—God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). • Willing obedience—“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me” (John 14:21). Daily practices that cultivate the meeting place 1. Unhurried Scripture intake • Read, then linger. • Speak the text back to God; listen for the Spirit’s illumination (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). 2. Conversational prayer throughout the day • Respond to every prompting with immediate acknowledgment. • Keep no topic off-limits; Moses spoke about leadership stresses, doubts, and desires. 3. Intentional solitude • Designate a physical “tent of meeting” corner or chair. • Disconnect from noise; let silence surface the heart. 4. Whole-hearted worship • Praise in song, posture, and daily choices (Psalm 103:1-5). • Shift focus from circumstances to the Lord’s character. 5. Prompt confession and cleansing • Agree with God the moment sin is revealed (1 John 1:9). • Receive restoration instantly; do not retreat into shame. 6. Obedient action • Act on the last instruction received; revelation grows with obedience (John 7:17). 7. Community reinforcement • Share insights with trusted believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Receive correction that guards intimacy from drift. Guarding the relationship long-term • Protect margins—crowded schedules suffocate stillness. • Fast from distractions—periodic breaks from media clear the spiritual palate. • Celebrate answered prayers—record tokens of God’s nearness. • Persevere when feelings lag—truth anchors the soul louder than emotion. The promised outcome “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) As these rhythms become lifestyle, the Spirit unveils the Lord’s glory, shaping believers into Christ’s likeness with ever-increasing clarity. Like Moses, the modern disciple steps back into the world reflecting the face of the One encountered. |
    |