He found himself in a place with steep, sharp, craggy rocks on every side. It was cold, it was damp, the air was stagnant and he was pinned. His eyes were covered so that he could not see through the only place that led to the open air. But instead of panic or frustration or anger, he found beauty in that moment.
He understood the nature of his confinement. He was not covered as discipline for disobedience; not because he needed to learn patience or even dependence. No, God had covered him in that place for one purpose: protection from Himself. God was about to be amazing, was about to speak His own name, and that cleft was Moses' only hope for survival. The full goodness of God, the fullness of His glory, was about to pass by the mountain where he stood, and Moses knew that goodness was too much for him.
"No one may see me and live," the LORD said.
God is so good. Too good. When God reveals His goodness, His faithfulness, His very Presence, it is too much for us. When we ask God to move in our lives, do we expect to be able to stand out in the open air and watch Him go by? What is it about God that makes us think the mountaintop is a safe place to meet Him? Moses knew that God was with Him, and he patiently waited in the side of that mountain until the LORD removed His hand and led him out. Sometimes He places us in the tight spots because He's about to be amazing. Sometimes we're safer when we can't move.
~Exodus 33:12-23~
Stuck between a rock and a hard place,
I found that the hard place was Your hand.
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2 comments:
I'm in one of God's "hard places" right now. How wonderful to be reminded that the hard places are as much a part of His creation as anything else, and that He sometimes uses them to protect me and provide for me.
Oh Abby, how right you are my friend. I'm kicking against God in this hard place - how good He is to remind me that it is His divine protection! Your insight is so refreshing (as always) :)
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