Exodus 33: 12-20
12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these
people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have
said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 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.” 14 The Lord replied,
“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then Moses said to
him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 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?” 17 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.” 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of
you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy
on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have
compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me
and live.”
Title: Persistence
is the key
Message: Moses’
sincerity and dedication to his duty as a leader empowered him, thus enabling
him to plead to God. The Israelites were deprived of God’s guidance and were
plagued (Exodus 32:34-35) because of the golden calf and now Moses, considering
that it’s impossible for them to go through the difficulties of traveling
without the Leader of leaders, implored to God and reminded Him of His
promises. Moses knew that he has been favored by God and he took advantage of
such favor for the good of all. Yes, leading is keeping in mind the benefit of
all and the leader must do his best to avail of the means towards the
realization of the group’s objective. Representing the group should not be for
the leaders’ advantage but for the benefit of the group as a whole.
Promise to Claim: God goes
with us and He will give us rest. God’s mercy never ends. He will extend mercy
and compassion to those who are deserving.
Command to Obey: Practice
persistence. Let us not grow weary in asking God’s guidance. Just like Moses,
let us persevere and humbly present our cause to God for He listens and will
respond to our prayers.
Warning to Heed: Curse
overcomes those who defy and unfollow God. We will feel God’s absence in our
lives when we disobey Him, thus making our situations miserable.
Application: I will
keep my faith and never be weary in presenting my petitions to God. I will
always pray for His guidance and see to it that I observe His commandments. I
will keep in mind that as a leader, I am the representative of my group and I
will come before the boss not to boast about my accomplishments and to earn his
favor for my sake but to mediate and take advantage of the opportunity to
present my group’s concerns, thus making both parties understand each other.
