Glory Unveiled

By Kerri-Ann Haye-Donawa
        

Up there in the mountain, away from peering eyes and listening ears, where the air is chilled and the only fragrance that fills the nostrils is the bright, fluorescent smell of the breath of God. It was there that God called Moses to enter into His presence and remain for forty days and forty nights. It was there that God hid his servant in the cleft of a rock as He revealed His awesome glory to him. It stirs my spirit as I come to the realization that that illustrious moment in time resulted from the pure intimacy of Moses’ relationship with God.

The relationship between Moses and God was characterized by dialogue, not just when surrounded by a congregation of listeners, but private dialogue. They engaged in conversation often. In fact, much of Moses’ time spent before God involved listening. Exodus 33:9 recounts, “And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.” Imagine God inviting Moses to have a mid-afternoon conversation, not for Moses to get revved up and vent about the waywardness of the people in his charge, but just for Moses to sit and listen. It is clear that God treasured those moments, because He took time to protect the confidentiality of each session with a cloud. Powerful! And as they sat there together, Master and servant, Creator and created, “The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11).
So it was that Moses was allowed to ‘see’ God simply because he asked to. “Please, show me Your glory”, Moses requested in one of their private sessions. Though unprecedented, God did not argue, nor hesitate; He simply agreed and made preparations to unveil Himself before His manservant. How amazing! Think about it, Moses understood the principle and value of time spent alone with God. He understood that His rank and position in the spirit increased each time he obediently submitted himself in prayer when the Spirit of God beckoned for Him to come away. He understood that after years of talking to the Lord in the secret place of solitude, he could ask God, without the need for theatrics and audacious justifications, to show him His glory, and God would respond, “Sure, I’ve been longing to.”

So it is that there is an intimate place of communion that God would have each of us to become familiar with. Psalm 91:1 declares, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High”, which indicates that it is the intention of God that we live in the dimension of the ‘secret place’. It is His will that we enter the tabernacle of His presence and the confidentiality of His counsel often, until we become familiar with the private manifestation of His glory in our lives. Yes, there is tremendous value in our corporate gatherings, but there is even greater power in cultivating a relationship of intimacy with God.

Verse of the Day: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)

Kerri-Ann Haye-Donawa is a writer and editor who is passionate about the word of God and how it is translated in our everyday lives. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies and a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies, and is a member of Rhema Christian Ministries, Toronto, Canada. http://twitter.com/#!/KHayeDonawa…