Your Presence

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In Exodus 33, we find the young nation of Israel in despair.  They have been caught in the act of rebellion and severely punished. But compounding the weight of guilt and the agony of God's punishment, they have just been informed that God will send an angel before them into the promised land. Let me be very clear; an angel - and not God Himself. How is this possible?  The God of their fathers has told them explicitly - "I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way."

"When the people heard this sad word, they went into mourning and none of them put on his ornaments." The whole mission was in jeopardy and it felt pointless to go on. Catatonic bewilderment overshadowed the whole camp.  Moses would go out to meet the Lord and the entire camp would stand to watch him go. They were in shock and despair. God had severely, resolutely, mercifully distanced Himself from them, because of their rebellion.  

It's under these conditions that Moses goes before God for the nation and says:

  “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.” So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”

I wrote the following lyrics last year after I had studied this passage. I was quite impressed by Moses' unwillingness to move forward without God's presence. God had promised them continued success with an angel leading the way; but Moses wanted more than success - he wanted God's presence.

Your Presence

A mountain shrouded in Clouds and smoke.

My conscience pierced by the words you spoke.

I cast away all my ornaments

For in your presence, I now repent

I played the fool, I wandered off. 

Afraid your plan was just not enough.

But now you beckon, you call to me

No more resisting, for now I see:

If your presence will not go before me,

I'll stay here in the dark of night.
I won't go on without your presence,
Can't leave without you by my side.
If your presence will not go before me,
I'd stumble even in the light.
I won't go on without your presence
Can't leave without you by my side.

We are your people, we are your prize.

Your loving mercy we realize.

We need your presence all along

Except you lead us, we can't move on.

If your presence will not go before me,

I'll stay here in the dark of night.
I won't go on without your presence,
Can't leave without you by my side.
If your presence will not go before me,
I'd stumble even in the light.
I won't go on without your presence
Can't leave without you by my side.