Moses said to the Lord, “Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but
you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, ‘I know
you by name, and you have also found favor with me.’ Now if I have indeed
found favor with you, please teach me your ways, and I will know you, so
that I may find favor with you. Now consider that this nation is your people.”
And he replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” “If
your presence does not go,” Moses responded to him, “don’t make us go
up from here. How will it be known that I and your people have found favor
with you unless you go with us? I and your people will be distinguished by
this from all the other people on the face of the earth.” The Lord answered
Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor
with me, and I know you by name.” —Exodus 33:12-17
God can and will bear the
“Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.” —Exodus 33:12
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” —Exodus 33:14
“If your presence does not go…don’t make us go up from here.” —Exodus 33:15
“I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and I know you by name.” —Exodus 33:17
“Moses did not want to take one step apart from the fullness of the presence of God.” —David Platt
We must learn to
What can you gain from dependence?
“…please teach me your ways…” —Exodus 33:13
What can you gain from dependence?
“…I will know you…“ —Exodus 33:13 // God and self.
What can you gain from dependence?
“…I will give you rest.” —Exodus 33:14 “Blessed is the man who trusts in
, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers - Never a worry through the hottest summers, never dropping a leaf - Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit in every season.” —Jeremiah 17:7-8 MSG
God is dependable and can be
“But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.” —Isaiah 53:5
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28-30
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:38-39
For further study:
Scripture: Exodus 32-33; John 1; Hebrews 4
Resources: “Opening to God” by David Benner
Community Group Guide:
How does your view of dependence change based on the cat poster?
What can we learn from Moses interaction with God?
How do you struggle with depending on God?
What reminders help you to depend on God?
How can New Circle live in the tension of driven and dependent?
To prepare for next week: The Humility of Jesus; Philippians 2:3-8