God is amazingly flexible in His sovereignty. He includes others, whom He trusts, in His decisions. WE can truly work with Him on 2021. Let’s look at Ex 32-33:
So when the Israelites start worshipping the golden calf after leaving Egypt (Ex 32), God tells Moses what He is thinking of doing, that He will destroy the people and make Moses into a great nation instead (10).
But Moses then tries to persuade God not to do this. Look at how he argued:
- God must finish what He begun. Or the exodus deliverance doesn’t make sense.
- What will the Egyptians say? That He killed them in the desert. Moses has a heart to protect the honour of God’s Name.
- Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, your covenant promise.
God amazingly relents, but the dialogue continues. The decision making is not over:
God declares He won’t go with the stiff-necked Israelites and tells them to strip off their jewellery while He decides what to do (Ex 33:1-6).There is then an incredible four step process in which Moses is included in His decisions.
1.Humbling
Firstly, the Israelites humble themselves (33:4,6) and worship (33:10) and Moses too.
2.Moses seeks the Lord for His Presence
Secondly, Moses seeks the Lord in the tent (33:7-10). Moses pleads for God’s presence with him first, based on God’s current favour to him and to lead His people well. Also he asks God to teach him, so that he can go deeper and gain more favour! God grants it (33:11-14). His presence will go with Moses but as yet not the people.
3.Moses pleads on behalf of others
Thirdly, Moses pleads on behalf of him and the people. Like Abraham, he tests the waters and then asks for more! He argues based on the need for God’s name to go with them, tor what will distinguish the Israelites from all other peoples (33:15-16).
God relents again because He is pleased with Moses and because “I know you by name”: intimacy and transparency. God declares Moses’ open heart (33:17). But this also reflects who God is: He is incredibly open about His life, transparent, knowable, honest, wants to be known. So God values this in us. But do we really want to know Him?
4.Moses is not satisfied with just God’s Presence
Fourthly, Moses wants more! He had already experienced God’s great miraculous signs in Egypt and God’s glory but now he desires more. He says:
“Now show me your glory.” (33:18).
God grants this also in a manner so sweet and gracious (19-23).
How does this apply to 2021?
God wants to include us in His decisions. So:
- Make a decision to seek the Lord’s heart and join with Him in His plans for 2021.
- Start by humbling yourself and begin seeking Him for His amazing Presence. Then..
- Seek Him on behalf of others, family, friends and those in need across the world, with a heart for God’s honour in all situations. Then..
- Ask for MORE. More of His glory and don’t stop until God reveals more of Himself.
New Year Reading List
READ the book “REES HOWELL INTERCESSOR“ that shows how a Welshman worked with God in intercession about some of the most important events of the 20th Century.
Also a devotional book (21 days) designed to get you ready for 2021:
GRACE OUTPOURINGS: 21 DAYS REVIVAL DEVOTIONAL which has lots of stories like Moses of encounters with God in revival for a great devotional experience.