0

BIBLICAL PRECEDENTS
Great and godly leaders in Scripture had a profound sense of living and serving in the presence of God. Moses, faced with the daunting challenge of leading his immature nation through difficult and unforgiving terrain to a yet unseen Promised Land, implored God, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?” (Exodus 33:15,16).* “Presence” in this passage is the Hebrew word panîm, that literally means “face.” This is a picturesque way of depicting God’s favor and nearness. Moses’ relationship with God was so personal and intimate that Exodus gives us this striking memory, “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (33:11). In fact, Moses’ face became radiant from exposure to the divine glory and had to be veiled as he moved among the people (34:29).

New Testament leaders also had a distinct sense of the presence of God. Moses went up Mount Sinai to meet with God; Paul was caught up to paradise for one of his many revelations from the Lord (2 Corinthians 12:1–4). Confident of God’s work through his own person, Paul wrote to the Romans that he longed to “impart . . . some spiritual gift” to make them strong (Romans 1:11). In closing this letter, he added, “I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ” (15:29). To the Corinthians, he preached “with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4). As an apostle, he was, on the one hand, conscious of being weak, but on the other, aware of Christ’s power in him (2 Corinthians 12:9). The aroma of his Damascus Road experience lingered throughout his life and ministry (Acts 9:1–9). Where Paul was present as a gifted and yielded vessel, God was also present and working in a special way.

Moses and Paul were called and gifted for powerful prophetic ministries unique to their periods of salvation history. They exercised certain foundational and revelational prerogatives we do not—and should not—expect. However, much of their example is to be imitated, their teachings are to be put into practice in life and ministry, and their passion to know and please God is communicable. Inspired by their longing for the presence of God, we can examine Scripture to see what may be legitimate expectations for God’s presence in our own lives and ministries in the 21st century.