Show Me Thy Way
Exodus 33:13 – “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.”
This was such a critical moment in the history of Israel’s journeys, as well as, a defining moment in Moses’ leadership. In the chapter previous to this, while Moses was with God on the mount receiving His commandments, the people, along with Aaron, built and began to worship a golden calf. Moses earnestly interceded on behalf of the nation he loved. Thousands were killed in the judgment that followed. At this strategic hour, Moses needed direction and affirmation from God. As part of this dialogue, Moses asked that God would “shew me now thy way.”
Moses was aware of how necessary it was that God would reveal His way for them. Moses stood in need of precise direction from his Leader. We all have this in common. We desperately need for God to show us His way. This is a daily and hourly need, but the need becomes more acute in times of crises. We need God’s way. We sometimes find ourselves in great dilemmas because we do not know or do not follow God’s way. Unfortunately, it is quite common for people to give little thought to God’s way until they run into problems. Our way will eventually lead us into danger or destruction.
We need God’s way in our homes and families. We need His way in our Churches. We need to lead in His way, and we need to follow in His way. We need His way in our personal habits and relationships, as well as in our daily occupations. There is something greatly encouraging in this. It is comforting to know that God has a way. God has not left us without purpose or direction. He has not left us to find or to create our own way. He has given us His Word that we might know His way.
We also know that because He has provided a way for us, God wants to make that way known to us. Moses knew that God had a way and that the Lord would make it known. He knew that God could provide the wisdom, counsel, and direction to lead this people out of their problems and into God’s way. We can have this same confidence that God wants to lead us and show us His way. Like Moses, it is wise for us to pray, “shew me now thy way.”