What practical steps can we take to seek God's presence like Moses did? Setting Our Eyes on Exodus 20:21 “ So the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.” (Exodus 20:21) Why Moses Stepped Into the Cloud • He trusted that God’s Word was true and good. • He desired fellowship more than comfort. • He believed the darkness concealed, not denied, the Lord’s nearness. First Move: Choose Solitude With Purpose • Step away from distraction (Mark 1:35). • Silence the noise—phones off, doors shut (Psalm 46:10). • Plan a regular “mountain time” slot; consistency builds expectancy. Second Move: Carry Holy Reverence • Approach with “reverent fear” (Hebrews 12:28-29). • Let awe deepen love, not stiffen it—“Draw near with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16). • Speak His names aloud: Lord, Almighty, Shepherd. It recalibrates the heart. Third Move: Enter Through His Word • Open Scripture first; He meets us on pages He inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Read slowly, aloud if possible; linger on verbs that reveal God’s heart. • Journal what the Spirit highlights; obedience begins with remembrance. Fourth Move: Embrace the Cloud of Mystery • Some questions remain unanswered—accept that and stay (Deuteronomy 29:29). • Darkness is often God’s cover, not His absence (Psalm 18:11). • Tell Him, “I trust You here,” echoing Moses’ silent confidence. Fifth Move: Speak as Friend to Friend • “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face” (Exodus 33:11). • Pour out thoughts plainly; avoid pious filler. • Pause after each sentence—space for His whisper (1 Kings 19:12-13). Sixth Move: Intercede for Others • Moses carried Israel’s needs into the cloud (Exodus 32:31-32). • Keep a list of names; lift each specifically. • Expect God to shape your heart while you pray theirs. Seventh Move: Obey Promptly • Revelation invites action (John 14:21). • Note any instruction, big or small; do it before debating it. • Obedience is the path back to the cloud tomorrow. Eighth Move: Remain in Ongoing Communion • “Abide in Me” (John 15:4). • Throughout the day, return mentally to the mountain: a whispered “Thank You,” a quick verse recall. • Treat interruptions as invitations to re-center on His presence. Living Out the Pattern Moses’ journey into the thick darkness was not a one-time event but a lifestyle of pursuit. Each of these steps—solitude, reverence, Scripture, mystery, honest prayer, intercession, obedience, and abiding—draws us along the same path. Follow them regularly, and the cloud that once looked forbidding becomes the place you most long to be. |
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