“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NIV.
The great lie is that security can be found in something other than God.
God designed and created you to be absolutely secure. God placed Adam and Eve in Eden, a perfect garden. There they had uncomplicated fellowship with God; they were safe; they were as one; they had every abundance; they enjoyed responsibility and authority. Then Adam and Eve believed a lie, bringing disobedience and sin into that perfect garden and nothing again was perfect. Genesis 3:1-8 NKJV. The lie was that their security could be found in something other than God. That same lie still deceives today. And what did they do? “They hid themselves from the presence of the Lord.”
Throughout entire lifetimes, people search for security. Security is elusive to those for whom God’s presence is uncomfortable. Innately, people feel they are created to be secure, but also struggle with feelings of insecurity. So much was lost when Adam and Eve sinned, yet ever since, “God [has been] reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” 2 Corinthians 5:19 NKJV. Reconciliation is still where you can find security of soul – finally secure in right relationship with God through the Savior, Jesus Christ. See Romans 5:12-21 NKJV.
God made a promise to Moses: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NIV. Moses’ response should be yours and mine, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Vs. 15. Why choose to travel on without God alongside? God’s Presence is always the source of true rest. There would be much in Israel’s journey that they would lack and much opposition and difficulty the nation would face, both from within and without, but the single, most important thing was Moses’ and the nation’s assurance that they would never be without God’s Presence. The nation of Israel is a testament to that truth still today.
You will not find absolute security by searching for the wrong things in the wrong places. Reputation and renown, wealth and prestige, celebrity and influence, properties and material possessions, self indulgence and the myriad of other things in combination or individually with which people try to fill their lives can never, provide security for hearts and souls. Your heart will never be content until it finds rest in God alone. There will never be enough of other things to fill the place that was made for God to fill.
The New Testament echoes with just such a promise and assurance that your life will not lack God’s presence and providence. Paul asked and answered the age-old question, “If God be for us, who can be against us? He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He who gave us Christ not [graciously] give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32 NKJV/NLT.
Do you struggle with emptiness of purpose? Deep within, do you suffer undefined lack? Accept Jesus’ invitation, “Come unto Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest . . and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT. There, in His presence, you will be safe, settled, sound, and secure. See Psalm 16:11 NKJV.
My prayer for you this day is that you will never know a moment apart from His Presence.