The Intimacy That Comes from Obedience
“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Exodus 33:11
Moses’s assignment so wasn’t what he’d asked for. In fact, this ancient Hebrew debated God, explaining all the reasons he wasn’t the man for this role, begging God to send anyone else. Someone more confident, with more authority, who didn’t stumble over their words or get tongue-tied.
God refuted his protests, making it clear, He’d chosen Moses to free the Hebrews—a rebellious, grumbling, stiff-necked people—from oppression and bring them to a place of rest.
Moses wasn’t thrilled with this “call.” He was content where he was. He had a family, community, and a shepherding job that had to feed his introverted heart.
But God persisted, and Moses obeyed.
Fast forward two months. His assignment had proven profoundly more difficult than he’d feared. Shortly after God had miraculously liberated His people from Egyptian oppression, they forsook Him for gods fashioned from gold—the very gold God had provided.
God’s response: I’m done.
He’d step back from His people, sending His angel to lead them instead. (Ex. 32:33-33:3).
Those protests Moses began his assignment with had to be flooding his brain on replay. Yet he remained, and in the middle of the hard, beauty unfolded. In desperation, Moses cried out to God, and that was exactly what he received—God Himself.
Isn’t that what our hearts long for most? To encounter God intimately, not just as our ruler, but as the One in whom we can confide? A friend who knows us deeply and who always has our best in mind? The One who confides in His children (Ps. 25:14).
Obedience often comes with a cost, but it also comes with a priceless blessing—intimacy with our Creator.
What is God asking of you? How does knowing your obedience paves the way to increased closeness with Christ encourage you to surrender?
Jennifer Slattery is a writer, editor, speaker, and the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries. She writes for Crosswalk, is the author of eight contemporary novels including her recently released Restoring Her Faith, and helped write Wholly Loved’s Bible study based on the life of Sarai (Gen. 12-23) titled Becoming His Princess, available for free (in ebook form) from Wholly Loved Ministries. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall outings with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Visit her online at jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com.
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