…with God (in person).
I often wonder about that every day. What would it be like to physically be around Him? I imagine it must have been amazing to walk with Jesus Christ during His time on earth, let alone be one of His disciples! Yet, even in His presence, they still doubted, struggled, and sinned. It reminds me that as humans, our nature is frail—even when standing before absolute perfection.
The Bible tells us that God’s holiness is beyond what we can comprehend. His presence is so overwhelming that we could not survive it in our current state.
Exodus 33:20 says, “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
Yet, in His love and mercy, He still finds ways to be near us, just as He did with Moses. When Moses spent time in His presence, his face shone with supernatural radiance (Exodus 34:29-30), a reflection of God’s glory:
“And the Lord said, ‘I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,’ he said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’
Then the Lord said, ‘There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.'” -Exodus 33:19-23
“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.” -Exodus 34:29-30
If just a glimpse of His presence could transform Moses, imagine what it would be like to dwell with Him forever!
Even hearing God’s voice was overwhelming for the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 5:24-27, they trembled and begged Moses to speak on God’s behalf, fearing that His voice alone would consume them:
“And you said, “The Lord our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them. But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any longer. For what mortal has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived? Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.”
“When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.'” –Exodus 20:18-19
“You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them.” -Hebrews 12:18-19
Perhaps, in His wisdom, He spares us from experiencing His full presence now, knowing that our mortal bodies could not bear it. Still, my heart longs for the day I will see Him face to face.
I’ve often visualized myself in His arms, loved completely for who I am, free from the burdens of this world. It is the safest, most perfect place I have ever existed—even if only in my dreams. And one day, that dream will become a reality.
1 Corinthians 13:12 reminds us:
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.”
What can I say: I love Him. I will always love Him–more than anything and anyone forever and ever and ever. He never left me. He never gave up on me. He never wants me to be something I wasn’t. He just accepted me for who I am and in our relationship, He healed and transformed me. He made me brand new! I want to see the being who did that for me, in person. I want to be held by Him; safe in His arms, never having to leave. That is what I look forward to the most: the day I get to be with my Elohim, not just in spirit, but in His full glory–forever and ever. Amen. <3
I pray many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many blessings over you!
xo
Rosalyn Rose