Walking by Faith: Embracing God's Presence and Glory

The stories of Old Testament heroes like Moses remind us that God works through ordinary, flawed people. Moses, despite his great accomplishments, faced uncertainty, criticism, and moments of deep insecurity. He didn’t have a detailed blueprint for his life; instead, he had to trust God step by step, often not knowing what would come next. This resonates with our own journeys, where we often wish for more clarity but are called to walk by faith, trusting that God is with us even when the path is unclear.

Reflecting on Moses’ conversation with God in Exodus 33, we see three simple yet profound requests that can shape our daily walk with God. First, Moses asks to know God and His ways. This is more than just intellectual knowledge; it’s a desire for a deep, personal relationship. By seeking to understand God’s character through His Word and by spending time with Him, we gain clarity for life’s decisions and experience His favor. Knowing God’s ways brings light to our confusion and helps us live in alignment with His heart.

Second, Moses asks for God’s presence to go with him. God’s promise of rest and peace is not just for the absence of conflict, but for a deep, abiding contentment that comes from walking closely with Him. When we live with the awareness of God’s presence, fear and loneliness lose their grip. We are reminded that life outside of God’s presence is empty, but with Him, we find courage, peace, and assurance no matter where we go.

Finally, Moses asks to see God’s glory. While we cannot fully comprehend God’s majesty in this life, even a glimpse of His glory transforms us. Experiencing God’s power and majesty fills our lives with radiance and confidence that cannot be manufactured. It is in these moments of encounter that we are changed, becoming more like Him and reflecting His presence to those around us.

These three requests—knowing God, walking in His presence, and seeing His glory—form a simple prayer that can set the tone for each day. In times of uncertainty, fear, or powerlessness, returning to this prayer anchors us in God’s love and purpose, reminding us that the Christian life is about relationship, transformation, and living in the fullness of God’s presence.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God delights in using ordinary, flawed people who are willing to trust Him step by step. Moses’ life shows that uncertainty and weakness are not barriers to being used by God; rather, they are opportunities to depend on Him more deeply. When we let go of the need for a perfect blueprint and instead seek God’s guidance daily, we open ourselves to His surprising and good plans. [01:37]
• 2. Knowing God’s ways is foundational for clarity and favor in life. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and pursue a relationship with God, we begin to understand His heart—what He loves, what He desires, and how He acts. This knowledge brings answers to life’s dilemmas and helps us live with integrity and purpose, even when the world’s values pull us in other directions. [08:07]
• 3. God’s presence is the source of true peace and rest, not just the absence of trouble. When we walk with God, we experience a contentment that transcends circumstances. This peace guards our hearts against anxiety and fear, reminding us that we are never alone and that God’s companionship is our greatest treasure. [13:49]
• 4. A glimpse of God’s glory has the power to transform us from the inside out. Though we cannot fully comprehend God’s majesty in this life, seeking His glory fills us with His radiance and confidence. Encounters with God’s power and presence equip us to face challenges and reflect His love to others in tangible ways. [20:34]
• 5. A simple, daily prayer—asking to know God, to walk in His presence, and to see His glory—can reorient our hearts and set the tone for our lives. In moments of confusion, fear, or weakness, returning to this prayer reminds us of our dependence on God and His desire to fill our lives with His favor, peace, and transforming presence. [24:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:14] - The Humanity of Moses
• [01:06] - Moses’ Struggles and Uncertainty
• [02:26] - Personal Story: Moving to West Texas
• [03:54] - God Doesn’t Give a Blueprint
• [05:01] - Moses’ Three Requests
• [06:03] - “Help Me to Know You”
• [07:51] - Discovering God’s Character
• [09:02] - Knowing God’s Ways Brings Clarity
• [11:01] - “Let Me Walk With You”
• [12:38] - God’s Promise of Peace
• [14:40] - The Value of God’s Presence
• [16:19] - Personal Story: Fear and God’s Presence
• [18:36] - “Show Me Your Glory”
• [20:34] - The Transforming Power of God’s Glory
• [22:20] - Living in God’s Radiance
• [23:12] - The Simple Daily Prayer
• [24:04] - Returning to the Prayer in Uncertainty
• [25:35] - Relationship and Transformation
• [26:52] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Bible Reading

Exodus 33:12-23 (ESV) —
> 12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” 17 And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

Observation Questions

1. What are the three specific requests Moses makes to God in Exodus 33? ([05:01])
2. According to Exodus 33:14, what does God promise Moses, and how does Moses respond to that promise? ([11:22])
3. In the passage, what does God say about seeing His glory, and how does He answer Moses’ request? ([19:08])
4. In the sermon, what are some of the struggles and feelings Moses experienced as a leader? ([01:06])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Moses ask God to teach him His ways before anything else? What does this reveal about Moses’ priorities and relationship with God? ([06:43])
2. The sermon mentions that God’s presence brings rest and peace, not just the absence of trouble. How does this understanding of peace differ from what the world offers? ([12:01])
3. Moses says, “If your presence does not go with me, do not send us up from here.” What does this statement show about Moses’ dependence on God? ([14:55])
4. The sermon says that even a glimpse of God’s glory can transform a person. What does it mean to be changed by God’s glory, and how might that look in someone’s life? ([20:34])

Application Questions

1. The sermon highlights that God uses ordinary, flawed people like Moses. Can you think of a time when you felt unqualified or insecure, but God still used you? How did you respond in that moment? ([01:37])
2. Moses didn’t have a detailed blueprint for his life—he had to trust God step by step. Are there areas in your life right now where you wish you had more clarity? How can you practice trusting God in those areas this week? ([03:54])
3. The first part of Moses’ prayer is to know God and His ways. What is one practical step you can take this week to grow in your knowledge of God’s character? (For example, reading a specific passage, journaling, or praying a certain way.) ([07:51])
4. God promises His presence and rest. When you feel anxious or restless, what helps you remember that God is with you? Is there a habit or reminder you could add to your daily routine to help you live with more awareness of God’s presence? ([13:49])
5. Moses asked to see God’s glory, even though he couldn’t fully comprehend it. When was the last time you felt awed by God’s greatness or power? How did that experience affect your faith or actions? ([20:34])
6. The sermon suggests a simple daily prayer: “Help me to know you, walk in your presence, and see your glory.” Would you be willing to pray this each morning for a week? What do you hope might change in your life if you do? ([23:12])
7. When you face uncertainty, fear, or powerlessness, what is your usual response? How might returning to this simple prayer help anchor you in God’s love and purpose? ([24:04])