Peace in Rest

Turn to Exodus 33 and let’s read verses 12 to 18…

Note it is God’s divine presence that gives us true rest. "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest." Moses was having a face to face encounter with God, "…as a man speaks to his friend" [verse 11]. In the dialogue, God says to Moses, "I know you by name, and you have also found favour in My sight." So Moses decides to hold God to His word by saying, "If I have found favour in your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find favour in your sight" [verse 13].

Notice, Moses said, "Show me now Your way." So it’s obvious that Moses was relaxed in the presence of God. But why? Quite simply, there’s a place of rest whenever you hold God to his promises. In fact, you can rest in the knowledge that "God is not a man that He should lie."

Another thing to remember is that Moses was merely exercising his covenant right. He said to God, “That I may know you." You see, God had said, "I know you by name" and Moses was now responding by implying, "If you know me, show me now Your way that I may know you." He was literally saying, "If you know me intimately, then reveal yourself to me, that I may know you also." In verse 11, God had spoken to Moses "face to face, as a man speaks to his friend [companion]." Isn't that amazing? Throughout this passage of scripture, God was making the effort and taking the initiative. As with Moses, God Himself has taken the initiative with you. He chose to seek you out and apprehend you, and to bestow His marvellous love upon you.

Therefore, you also should be relaxed in the knowledge that He desires to have fellowship with you. Yes, you can confidently ask Him to get involved in every matter of life – even the apparently menial things! Covenant relationship declares, "What you ask or require from me, I can ask or require from you." Remember, Moses said to the Lord, "You said you know me, therefore, reveal Yourself to me right now, that I may also know you!"

But immediately after the Lord makes this incredible statement, "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest." There is rest in the Lord's presence, or, His presence brings rest! The ancient Hebrew word used here is 'nuach', and it means, 'to settle down; to be soothed; to be secure; to be still; to dwell in total peace'. This verb occurs 65 times in the Old Testament and is the verb that describes the Spirit of God resting upon the Messiah in Isaiah 11:2. The name Noah ["rest giver or comforter"] is derived from this ancient Hebrew word. In the context of this scripture, and of our own covenant relationship, God promises that, “His divine presence will soothe, secure, comfort, console, settle, and still [quiet] us." What's more, "it will keep us in total peace."

Now look at verse 15. Immediately after God has made this wonderful pledge Moses says, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here." In other words, "if you're not with us we might as well remain where we are!"

Verse 16: "For how will anyone know that we have favour with You if you are not manifesting Yourself with us? Because our desire is to be separate from all the people of the earth [to be a special people]." [Literal]

Verse 17: The Lord then says to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken." God's nature is always to go beyond our requests, and bless us "exceedingly, abundantly, above all we ask, think or imagine." Psalm 116:7, “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."

However, as with all of God's promises, we can only appropriate them by 'faith'. Hebrews 4:3 declares, “Now we who have believed enter that rest." At the end of the day, you must believe that the Lord can and will give you the rest you desire. You must know in your heart that He is willing and able to soothe and settle you! You must do as Moses did and hold Him to His word. For didn't He say, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

All believers have the same covenant promise, both from the Father and from the Son. And, we have the blessed Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Rest [our Comforter] to lead us into a state of rest.
Therefore, constantly remind yourself of this - God is with you and His presence "soothes, comforts, consoles, settles, stills, and brings you total peace."

Chris Demetriou, 27/08/2006