This is one of my favorite conversations in all the Bible. This passage is at the top of the top 10 of my favorite scriptures. There is a sense of anticipation whenever I come to this portion of God’s word. Even though I know what’s going to happen, I can’t wait to read it again. Here’s a playback of how I process the conversation in Exodus 33:12-17 . . .

God:  Moses, I know you by name and you have found favor in my sight.

Moses:  Great! So, because I have found favor in Your sight, Lord, would You show me Your ways that I might continue to find favor in Your sight?

God:  You got it! My presence will go with you . . . by it You will know my ways . . . and in that presence you will find a quietness for your soul.

Moses:  Fantastic! Without Your presence I don’t want to take another step . . . it is Your presence which testifies that I have found favor . . . and it is Your presence that makes your people distinct from all other people.

God:  Absolutely. Like I said, you have found favor in my sight . . . and I know you by name.

Moses:  Terrific! But . . . one more thing. Though I’m in awe that You know me and have chosen to commune with me . . . and while I can’t comprehend why I should have found favor in Your sight . . . and it’s mind-boggling that I might know anything of the ways of Almighty God . . . and though I don’t deserve Your presence but so delight in it . . . please God, I want some more . . . Please, show me Your glory!

Be found in His favor . . . desire His ways. Know His presence . . . seek His glory.

Taste and see that Lord is good . . . and you’ll want more of the Lord. Hunger for the things of His righteousness . . . and He will feed you with food that satisfies and yet inflames the appetite. Drink of living water and you will thirst no more . . . but the sweetness of it will compel you to want to continually drink deep of it.

Years ago I came across a tongue-in-cheek piece by a guy named Wilbur Rees . . . “I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please — not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine.” Moses wasn’t looking for a cup of warm milk . . . his encounter with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel served as water to prime the pump of desiring an increasing and deepening understanding and relationship with the One in whose favor He stood . . . he was up for an “exploding soul” . . . Please God, I want some more!

Me too, Lord! You know the frailty and failings of this servant . . . but I know, by Your grace alone, I have found favor in Your sight. You show me Your ways through Your word . . . Your presence goes with me by Your abiding Spirit . . . thank You! But one more thing . . . if I could ask for more . . . Please show me Your glory!