Reading: Exodus 32:1-34:35

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.
Exodus 33:11

There are so many amazing wonders to ponder as we read about the journey of the children of Israel out of Egypt. But the one “wonder” that captures my heart is the personal relationship between God and Moses.

Moses relationship was so close to God that when the children of Israel sinned God voiced His anger and displeasure to Moses.  Yet, when God declared His plans to wipe them out and start a new nation through Moses; Moses stepped in and interceded for God’s mercy on their behalf and on behalf of God’s reputation.  As a result God repented of His plans. (In so doing Moses foreshadows what Jesus would do for us when He would come and surrender His life on the Cross.) 

A close relationship is what God wants with all people. He created us in his own image and wants us to love and follow him with our whole heart. The question is do you want a relationship with him? 

To have a close relationship with God, we must understand that there are requirements. 

• We must have a hatred of sin (Ex. 32:19-20)

The Lord loves those who hate evil…
Psalms 97:10

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8

• We must possess a willingness to obey him.

“If you love me, you will obey my commands.
John 14:15 (NCV)

• When we have a close relationship with God there is tangible evidence in our lives…

a. God is with us (the pillar of cloud, Exodus 33:9-10)

b. God is in us (Moses’ radiant face, 34:29)

•  Do you desire a Relationship with God?

 Will you do what it takes to have that relationship?

Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ  and be embraced by him…
Philippians 3:8-9a

 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life.
Philippians 3:10

As you forge ahead with the E100-Challenge remember that God paid a high price for a relationship with you. What will you do for him?