In His Hands

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I, hopefully, added an email thingy that you can put in your email address and the CrossRoads will be sent to you.  Fingers crossed!!  ;)


One of the things that really has been a strength to me, through the years, is that God holds me in the palm of His hand.  When I have difficult news or situations, knowing I am secure in His Hands helps me get out of bed and face each day.  There is a picture of my grampa holding my sister, Robin, who was standing straight up balancing in the palm of his hand.  I don't know how old is she, but less than a year.  I like to picture myself like that.  Confident, strong and fully trusting not only my ability to stand, but in the person whose hand I'm standing in.  I thought we could take a couple of days and look at that.


In Exodus 33:1-12:  We find the Israelites after the Golden Calf incident.  God tells them to leave Mt. Sinai and enter the Promised Land without Him.  God calls them "stiff-necked" = stubborn, hard-hearted, cruel and grievous.  Their sin has separated them from God.  vs 3b: " 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."  


Even in His anger, He is motivated by His love for me.  His actions do not go against His character!


This makes me pause for a minute and think how often I have been stubborn and God could not walk with me in what He has promised and destined for me.  That thought scares me more than I can write.  I don't want to go anywhere, even my destiny, without God.


Moses sets up a Tent of meeting outside the camp and they mourn over their sin that caused God's presence to leave.  The pillar of cloud stands at the entrance of the tent and Moses and God talk face to face. (vs 12-23) It is intimate, personal and honest.  Moses tells God that he will not go anywhere without His presence.  Moses reminds God of His love and purpose for Israel.  


So, God tells Moses that He will go with them and God will show Moses His Glory, but not His face.  Moses goes and stands in a cleft where God covers him with His Hand.  (vs.22)  Hand here means the hollow, or middle of the hand, bowl, paw, sole, curve.


Don't you love the visual here?  In the midst of all the chaos of the all that has happened with the Israelites and their choices, God listens to Moses' heart and in a tangible way meets him.  God not only shows Moses His glory but protects him with His hand.  


In the midst of all that we face in the daily chaos of our lives, big and small, we can meet with God face to face.  Be honest about where we are.  Repent.  Worship.  Remind.  Declare.  I have even yelled and screamed.  God hears our hearts, meets us and stretches out His hand to cover us!!  


He is so awesome!!  


Remember how much He loves you and is waiting at the tent to talk...


Have a fab day!


xo ~ Jodi