Face To Face
There are some conversations that you simply should not have via phone, text or email. There are times when the subject matter is so heavy that a face-to-face conversation is called for. It is sometimes easy to hide behind a computer keyboard or a telephone but eye-to-eye being in the presence of the other is really important. When I’m having one of those conversations, I’m trying to hear the other person via their posture, facial expressions and the tone of voice. I’m also keenly aware of all those characteristics expressed in me.
One of the coolest moments in the life of Moses comes when his sister Miriam and Aaron were complaining of Moses being the leader. I’m assuming that Miriam is doing most of the complaining because of the punishment the Lord gives her. I hear the tenderness of God’s heart even when He’s frustrated with these two. He addressed their complaint rather directly. Check this out….
5 Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, 6 he said, ‘Listen to my words:
‘When there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams.
7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?’
9 The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them. (Numbers 12:5-9 NIV)
I love that fact that the Lord makes it clear what He thinks of Moses. He so showed them that Moses relationship with the Lord was special and very personal. This is a window to see into the Heart of God very early in the Old Testament. After Jesus came to the earth, we see God’s incredible heart of love for His kids – us! He demonstrated His love to us by providing the Ultimate Sacrifice for sin – His own Son.
Because of Jesus, I can talk to God directly. I’ve never seen Him face to face, but I’ve sure felt His Presence so close I could almost feel the breath of His nostrils. (I know I’m assuming that He has them!) His Presence is very powerful and moving. I believe that when I seek Him – He responds to me. I believe that the Lord communicates all the time with me via The Holy Spirit. Sometimes I find myself singing this beautiful song: Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli because I want the Presence of the Lord to settle in on my heart and dwell here. That is an incredible peaceful place to live.
Pressing On!
Dwayne