Bible passage: Exodus 33:12–23; Exodus 34:5–8; Habakkuk 2:14
The Boldest Prayer
Today is Monday 20th of January 2020. Welcome to Day 20 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Yesterday we asked for God’s presence and power. Today we ask to see His glory.
Israel had just made a golden calf and worshipped it. The nation had been rebellious, immoral and indifferent to the God who had rescued them. Moses was pleading with God for the people. He could have asked simply for their needs to be met. He asked for something far greater. “Then show me your glorious presence.” Exodus 33:18 (NLT)
What Glory Looks Like
Goodness
God’s answer is not what we might expect. He says that He will make all His goodness pass before Moses and will call out His own name (Exodus 33:19). When God shows His glory, He shows His character.
Moses could not look on God’s face and live. So God placed him in a cleft in the rock and covered him with His hand as He passed by (Exodus 33:20–23).
The Name
Then the Lord came down in a cloud and declared who He is. He is the God of compassion and mercy. He is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. He lavishes that love on a thousand generations and forgives every kind of sin and rebellion. Yet He does not excuse the guilty (Exodus 34:6–7).
That is glory. It is mercy and justice together, love that forgives and holiness that does not look away. Centuries later that glory was seen in full, in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
The Right Response
Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshipped (Exodus 34:8). When we see God as He is, there is nothing else to do.
Glory Filling the Earth
A Promise for the World
God’s glory is not only for one man on one mountain. Habakkuk was given a promise for the whole world. As the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord (Habakkuk 2:14). David saw the same day coming, when the whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to Him, and all the families of the nations will bow before Him (Psalm 22:27).
When we pray for God’s glory to come, we are asking for His nature to overwhelm ours, in us, in the church and among the nations.
Light on a Hill
Our own times can feel like Moses’ times. Many people are hostile or indifferent to God. Jesus tells His followers that they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:13–14). The world sees the glory of God when it sees His character in His people.
Three Steps for Today
Pray the prayer of Moses. Ask God to show you His glory. Then read Exodus 34:6–7 slowly and worship Him for each part of His name.
Reflect Him. Which part of God’s character does someone near you need to see in you today: compassion, patience or faithfulness?
Pray for the nations. Pray for a country that is on your heart, that the knowledge of God’s glory would fill it.
Prayer for Today:
Sovereign God, show me Your glory. You are compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and full of unfailing love. Let Your nature overwhelm mine. Make Your church salt and light, a city on a hill. Fill our community, our nation and the whole earth with the knowledge of Your glory, as the waters cover the sea. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep going
See every day of this guide on our Prayer & Fasting page.
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