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Last week, we read about Moses with the Israelites. They were on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, but Moses’ big question was: would they remember God when times are good?
Today’s story takes place before that moment. It is an intense dialogue between Moses and God. As I reflected and meditated on it, a pressing question arose: Why do you worship God?
Is it for the blessings of protection that God provides? Or is it because you cherish the relationship with God, regardless of the blessings or circumstances?
Which is more important: what God is able to provide, or your relationship with God?
To understand today’s passage, it is important to know the context.
God sent Moses up the mountain to receive God’s law. But he was up there for so long. People grew anxious. They became impatient. So they created and worshippied the golden calf. They committed a great sin in not trusting God.
God was bitterly disappointed. Even after forty years in the wilderness, where God provided everything for them, they still did not trust God, nor were they loyal to God.
God was going to keep his promise to give them the Promised Land, but God would not go with them.
The Lord said to Moses, “Go, leave this place, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’ I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey, but I will not go up among you, or I would consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people. (Exodus 33:1-3)
Today’s passage is Moses’ response to that. And his basic response is this: go with us, or I would rather stay in the wilderness!
If your presence will not go, do not bring us up from here. (Exodus 33:15)
All the blessings in the world meant nothing if God would not go with them.
For Moses, the answer to my first question was clear: Moses wanted God, not the blessings God provides.
Singer Alicia Keys’ song, “If I Ain’t Got You” chorus:
Some people want it all
But I don’t want nothing at all
If it ain’t you, baby
If I ain’t got you, baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain’t got you
That was Moses’ attitude toward God – all the blessings of the Promised Land mean nothing without you.
This unwavering conviction stemmed from his own life experience.
For the first 80 years of his life, he did not know God. For his first forty years, he lived a life of privilege as a prince of Egypt. He grew up in the palace surrounded by power and wealth.
The next forty years were nice, peaceful years in the pastures of Midian. He did not know God during this whole time, but in many ways, life was better and easier.
Once he met God, he never had that privilege or peace again. God sent him back to Egypt.
He led the Israelites out of slavery, but for forty years they wandered in the wilderness. They had no food and water. People complained constantly to Moses. They even threatened his safety because they were so anxious and scared.
Those last forty years were the hardest years of his life, but he came to know God.
They became so close, that he was called a friend of God.
Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. (Exodus 33:11)
No one became as close with God as Moses did. He experienced intimacy with God. He discovered who he really was. He experienced the fullness of life. He found his identity, purpose and calling.
And all of this happened because of his relationship with God.
Moses had experienced life with God and life without God. He would not trade anything in the world for life with God.
Why did God rescue Israel from slavery? Was it merely to bless them with the Promised Land? God was more than happy to provide all the blessings of the Promised Land.
But the real purpose of rescuing them was to dwell with them. For them to be God’s people. To be in deep relationship with them.
God has been with you. God has helped you through hard and difficult times. God has also blessed you. God is happy to bless you. But God’s real desire is to have a relationship with you.
Last week, I reflected on immigrant life. It was hard – it is hard. For people of my generation, we were so lost growing up here – we didn’t know who we were.
But we had the church. The church was a safe place for us. In our worship, in our prayers, in our sharing, God helped us find the strength to carry on through our struggles. We had the community where we felt the presence of God.
Many people of my generation got through those challenges. God helped us. But who is God to us now?
Did we emerge from those challenges with a distinct identity rooted in our relationship with God? Or have we simply become like every other people around us after we got through those challenges?
So many of the people I grew up in church with; So many of those who once felt God’s presence; I don’t know where they are now. Some I know still love and worship God. But others, I have no idea.
Next week is the church’s 30th anniversary.
For 30 years, God has been with the people of this church. People have found strength, encouragement, and words of encouragement in this church.
The original founding generation is passing. Leadership of the church is passing onto us (could really see that in fundraiser).
The question for us now is: who is God to us?
Do we really need and desire God? Or are we simply here to enjoy the blessings that God has provided?
What is the church to you? Is it a place where you meet, encounter and deepen your relationship with God? Or is it a place where you simply enjoy the blessings of the community that God has provided?
Who are we without God?
The wilderness is such a hard place. It is any place where life is out of your control and you are completely dependent on God.
It’s a place we are often eager to leave.
But Moses would rather stay there if it meant being apart from God. He would rather have total insecurity and instability if meant being with God, rather than having all the stability and security without God.
What about you? Who is God to you? And who are you without God?
I know my answer: as much as I don’t want difficulties in my life, I need God. I cannot live my life without God. Not anymore.
Moses knew he needed God. But that was not enough. He needed to know that God would be with all of his people.
Now if I have found favor in your sight, please show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider, too, that this nation is your people… If your presence will not go, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth. (Exodus 33:13, 15-16)
Don’t leave my people behind because of their sins. Go with them too. The people and Moses were a package deal. Come with all of us or don’t come at all!
For me, it’s not good enough that God is with me only. What good is that if God is not with those around me? What good is it if God is not with my children? What good is it if all of you do not have God with you? Then for me, my faith is futile. My ministry is futile.
God wants to be present in this church. God wants to be with all of you. God wants to be with the next generation. God wants to be real and present among our young people as they navigate an uncertain world and future. God wants to reach out to more people through the people of this church.
God wants to change lives, just as he did for Moses and the Israelites. He wants to reveal our true identities and our true callings as we deepen our relationship with God.
All of you who are parents want the best for your children. You want to provide everything you can for them. In the same way, God delights in blessing you with all good things. Because God loves you.
But the greatest thing God desires is your heart. A real and deep relationship with you.
Who am I without God? Lost, wandering, aimless. I am who I am because of God.
That was Paul’s confession. That is the confession of all who have come to know God.
Seek God with all your heart. Enjoy all the blessings that God provides. But enjoy God even more.
Each and every day: pursue God, love God with all your heart.
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