Exodus 33:13

New King James Version

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.”

For Meditation

I have seen people engage in all means to endear themselves to people in authority for various reasons. Jane Austen illustrates this truth humorously in a scene in “Pride and Prejudice”. At a Ball in honor of Mr. Bingley, Mr. Collins, a young clergyman, tries very hard to get the attention of Mr. Darcy, the rich friend of Mr. Bingley. All that humiliating experience was to show off to Jane, the oldest of the five Bennet girls, whom he was pursuing for marriage. What people would do for love!

That’s the world’s motive for endearment. It’s all about our selfish interests and self-promotion. The world wraps deception in garments of love and presents it with concealed ulterior motives, breaking hearts and destroying lives. But why do we scheme this way around our All-knowing God, who expects us to seek Him with pure and selfless motives?

Motive is everything in a relationship. Why do we seek fellowship with one another? Why do we pursue close and intimate fellowship with God in prayer? Do we come to escape from hell, seek cover from evil forces, seek wealth, healing, children, or what have you? Nothing wrong with these things, and in fact, we can find all these and much more in the Lord. But if His blessings become our primary motive for coming to Jesus, we have it all wrong.

The Westminster Catechism postulates that the chief end of man is “To know God and enjoy Him forever”. Throughout sacred scripture, notable saints have expressed these sentiments in various ways. For our example, God told Moses that He knew him by name and that Moses had found grace in His sight. (Exod. 33:12). What a privilege to behold from the Almighty God; however, Moses sought a much deeper intimacy. He wanted more of God. It was not about him or anything for his selfish interest, but all about God.

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (13).

Moses’s greatest desire was to know God more intimately. He wanted to know God’s will and whole counsel to live to please Him. God’s promised Presence would not satisfy either, but a revelation of His glory (14-18); for no one sees God in His glory and remains the same. That’s the desire God seeks from us when we come before Him—our whole life for His glory.

Offered the opportunity from God to ask for anything, young King Solomon skipped every personal interest and asked for wisdom to govern Israel, discerning between good and evil (1 Kings 3:10-13). Paul desired to “know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).

Is that your greatest desire in life—to know God through Jesus Christ and to please Him? What do we ask from Him in prayer and why? These are questions we should ponder and reflect upon in our journey of faith.

Pray with Me

God, I long to know you deeply and to delight in you always. Please help me grow closer to you each day and reveal your transforming glory to me, through Jesus Christ, amen.