OPENING STATEMENT:

No matter how many victories, successes in life we might celebrate, without His presence, they mean nothing.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I WILL SEND AN ANGEL before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I WILL NOT GO WITH YOU, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way. (Exodus 33: 1-3)

• God declares I will send an angel, but I will not go with you.
• But Moses valued God’s presence more than anything else.
• Here’s how the Lord would speak to Moses:

The Lord would speak to Moses FACE TO FACE, AS ONE SPEAKS TO A FRIEND. (Exodus 33:11 NIV)

Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” (Exodus 33:12-13)

In his meeting with God, Moses humbled himself and pleaded with God to not reject his people and to go with them.

The Lord replied, “MY PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” (Exodus 33: 14)

Then Moses said to him, “IF YOUR PRESENCE DOES NOT GO WITH US, DO NOT SEND US UP FROM HERE” (Exodus 33:15)

• Moses did not care so much about entering the Promise Land, he cared more about God’s presence with Him along the journey.
• True success is not found in the destination, but in God Himself.

#1: His Presence Gives us Peace in Uncertainty

• What Moses was essentially saying in verse 15: “Lord, I don’t want to take another step unless You are the One guiding me through the uncertainty.”
• Moses’s confidence was God’s nearness. He wanted God’s presence more than anything else.
• Uncertainty causes fear to creep in, but His presence brings peace:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU ARE WITH ME .” (Psalm 23:4)

“Fear not, for I AM WITH YOU; be not dismayed, for I am your God.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Peace does not come from having all the answers, but from knowing God is with us.

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#2 His Presence Distinguishes Us from the World

“How will it be known that we are Your people UNLESS YOUR PRESENCE GOES WITH US?” (Exodus 33:16).

• Moses didn’t want Israel to be known as a wandering tribe. He wanted people to remember God’s people by His presence with them.
• What sets us apart as God’s children is: The presence of God.
• Jesus reminds us that we are in the world but we are not of the world.

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, even as I am not of it. (John 17:15-16 NIV)

• This is what separates us from the world: our identity that is found in His presence.

For you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE . You are royal priests, a holy nation, GOD’S VERY OWN POSSESSION. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NLT)

• His presence in our lives distinguishes use from others.

“IN YOUR PRESENCE is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

• The world is looking for is the presence of God.

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#3 His Presence Brings Rest for Our Souls

“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14).

Rest here means not just sleep, but deep, settled peace of the soul.

• In His presence, even the wilderness seasons could become a place of rest.
• Peace doesn’t come from finishing the to-do list or reaching the next milestone—Peace comes from slowing down and inviting God in.

“And the PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will GUARD your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?