'LORD, Shew Me Thy Glory



"LORD, Show Me Thy Glory!"

Exodus 33:12-23

INTRO. The BIBLE says in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all thine

heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways

acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” The two key words

in those verses are: trust and acknowledge. The word "trust" is a

Hebrew word which means “to place one's hope in.” Christ is our

ONLY HOPE! "My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood

and righteousness." The word "acknowledge” is a Hebrew word that

means “to know.” We must know Him more, if we are going to serve

Him more!

I want to title the message, "LORD, Show Me Thy Glory!" That is

what is needed by God's people all around the world; to catch a

glimpse of the glory of God! If we somehow could experience Him in

His holiness and power, WHAT MOTIVATION we would have in our

life service for Him! In Psalm 4:4-5, the Psalmist David exhorts,

"Stand in awe, and sin NOT: commune with your own heart upon your

bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your

trust in the LORD." That's what we must do: "Stand in Awe," because

we serve the Living God.

In our text Exodus 33:12-23, we see Moses in prayer to God. He

requested three things of the LORD. Each one of these requests

were made so Moses could know more about God's purpose and

plan for the Israelites. God has a purpose and plan for each one

here today. The question is: "Do I really care? Do I want God's

best for me, or Do I want my own way?" Let's look at these 3

requests of Moses and how God answered each one.

MOSES REQUESTED:

(1) The LORD'S Purpose

Text: Exodus 33:12-14

*God had a purpose for Israel (Exodus 33:1-3). In v13 Moses asks God to

“Show me now thy way...". Moses doesn’t want to be left in uncertainty,

but desires to know God’s purpose and plan. God had a purpose and

plan for Israel and God has a purpose and plan for all man also:

A. GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR ALL:

1. For The Lost--Salvation (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). But to be

saved, we must follow God’s way (John 14:6). Jesus said in

Matthew 7:13—“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate,

and broad is the Way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there

be which go in thereat." Our way will lead us to hell (Proverbs

14:12).

2. For The Saved--Service (Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 86:11). Our

service to God should be offered with JOY, as Psalm 100:2 tells us,

"Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with

singing."

B. GOD HAS MADE PROVISION FOR ALL (John 3:16-17; 1 Peter 3:18).

(2) The LORD'S Presence

Text: Exodus 33:15-17

A. THE PETITION FOR HIS PRESENCE (v15). “If thy presence go not

with me, carry us not up hence." Moses dreaded the thought of going

without the Lord’s presence. So should we! Moses knew that without

supernatural assistance there would be no way he could lead and

govern the people. We need His presence in our lives! We need to

acknowledge His wisdom, guidance, and glory and rely on His great

guidance!

ILLUS: What's the natural response when you've seen God? You're

convicted of sin. "Woe is me, for I am undone." The closer I

walk with God, the more quickly I feel my sin and realize how

much I need God. It's like a huge mirror with a great big light

over it. When we stand away from the mirror, things look

pretty good: suit looks in order; tie looks straight; the hair,

what's left of it, is combed. But as you begin to move towards

the mirror, things begin to show up. The suit has a spot on it.

The tie is a little bit wrinkled. The hair is out of place. The

closer we get to the bright light, the more we realize our

defects. It's the same way when we get close to God. When we

get close to him, we realize how much we need him and how

far we are from him. We're convicted of our sin. -- Rod Cooper,

"Beholding the King," Preaching Today, Tape No. 150.

B. THE PERMANENCE OF HIS PRESENCE (vv. 14, 17). All of God’s

promises are true! God had promised Moses in v14—“My presence

shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” And in v17 God once

again assures Moses of this promise, “I will do this thing also that thou

hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by

name.” But the presence of the Lord was not to be temporary but

permanent. He could be counted on then and He can be counted on

NOW! (Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 Samuel 12:22, 24; Hebrews 13:5).

ILLUS: In Gold By Moonlight Amy Carmichael wrote: "It is not the

sense of His presence, it is the fact of His presence that is our

strength and stay." - Charles Stanley, In Touch Magazine

(3) The LORD'S Power

Text: Exodus 33:18-23

*v18—“I beseech thee, show me thy glory." The word “glory” in the Hebrew

means “splendor and honor.” God’s glory shows us two things:

A. GOD’S GLORY SHOWS US HIS HOLINESS (v20).

Isaiah 6:1-8; Revelation 1:16-18

B. GOD’S GLORY SHOWS US HIS POWER (v19). Six times in this verse

we see God saying, “I will.” Only God has the right to make such

claims! In 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 we read about God, “Thine, O

LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory,

and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine;

thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in

thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great,

and to give strength unto all.” And in Psalm 135:5-6—“For I know that

the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the

LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all

deep places.” NOW THAT’S POWER!

CLOSING: Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no

man cometh to the Father, but by me." His way is the only way! Are

you in the way this morning?

Christian, Do you need a Fresh glimpse of God's Glory today? If so,

all you need to do is to ask Him. “LORD, show me thy glory!”

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