Embracing the Divine Presence: A Journey from Afar to Nearness with God
Exodus 20:21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was…
In this chapter we see that God has given Israel the Ten Commandments and has shown them pictures of His judgment (v. 18-thunderings, lightings, smoke, noise). It is at this time that the people stand afar off from the presence of God. In v. 21 we find Moses gets near to the place where God was but the rest of the people stay afar off. This people have been brought out of Egypt and crossed over the Red Sea, so they have experienced God’s grace towards them, yet they stand afar off. He has already provided many miracles since they have been in the wilderness, yet they stand afar off. He has given them the commandments so that they would “sin not,” yet they stand afar off. I find today that many people are standing “afar off” from God. Though He has saved their soul, though He has loved and cared for them, though He has never forsaken them, they stand afar off. While Moses took the opportunity to get as close to God as he could, they stood afar off. Thank God for Moses and him drawing near to God. May you decide on this day that you will not stand away from God in your spiritual contentment, but that you will boldly step toward the presence of God. Take the first step, and then it will get easier. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Do not continue to stand “afar off!” Draw near to where God is!
~David Harrell, guest author
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
In this chapter we see that God has given Israel the Ten Commandments and has shown them pictures of His judgment (v. 18-thunderings, lightings, smoke, noise). It is at this time that the people stand afar off from the presence of God. In v. 21 we find Moses gets near to the place where God was but the rest of the people stay afar off. This people have been brought out of Egypt and crossed over the Red Sea, so they have experienced God’s grace towards them, yet they stand afar off. He has already provided many miracles since they have been in the wilderness, yet they stand afar off. He has given them the commandments so that they would “sin not,” yet they stand afar off. I find today that many people are standing “afar off” from God. Though He has saved their soul, though He has loved and cared for them, though He has never forsaken them, they stand afar off. While Moses took the opportunity to get as close to God as he could, they stood afar off. Thank God for Moses and him drawing near to God. May you decide on this day that you will not stand away from God in your spiritual contentment, but that you will boldly step toward the presence of God. Take the first step, and then it will get easier. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Do not continue to stand “afar off!” Draw near to where God is!
~David Harrell, guest author
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.