Nearness of God

God dwells in His glory within His people. After 400 years of living in Egypt, the Israelites never make themselves at home in the land. They are oppressed against their will in a foreign country. Brought out of Egypt by the grace of God, long before they arrive in the Promised Land, they find belonging in God’s Presence. By His Presence, God establishes them a nation. Israel becomes known among other nations by their Great God. By Him, the seas and rivers part, the earth trembles, and streams of living water come from rock. Israel is privileged to witness Nature yield to God. His Presence is known by all that He has created.

When reflecting on the Divine Reign of our Sovereign Lord, it makes sense that the seas would part for Him to pass through, or that the rocks would bring water by His Command. But of all Creation that beheld God’s Presence in the wilderness, it seems that only Israel, God’s own Dominion, could not grasp the magnitude of His Majesty. They are the ones who grumbled and complained, even doubted His direction. How often we can be like this too! If only we would be as willingly surrendered to God’s Presence as the seas that ebb and flow by His Will, or as the sun and moon that follow that heavenly path that He sets before them. As His people in whom He dwells, shouldn’t we also always seek to obey our God and do as He pleases?