Knowing God More Nearly

encountering GodEpiphany
February 1, 2016

Scripture Reading: Exodus 34:29-35

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterwards all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. –Exodus 34:29-32

The giving of the Law to the Israelites was a holy occasion. Moses’ whole countenance was evidently changes as he descended from the mountain with the covenant that God had made. The change was so great that all the people knew something special had happened. Have you ever encounter such a transformation in your own life?

It reminds me of Paul on the road to Damascus full of himself and his righteous stance against these followers of the man named Jesus. He too was changed forever. Saw the world differently, understood God differently when he encountered the Holy.

Opening our hearts and minds to knowing God more nearly is what we are called to do in our everyday journey. More than that, our knowing God more nearly will help us more assuredly to love and care for one another until we find we are capable and willing to love all of God’s children from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth. Loving all of God’s children is our best form of helping us love God more dearly.*

Prayer: Lord, help us to know you more nearly so we can serve you more clearly. Amen.

*Loosely based on the prayer of Richard, Bishop of Chichester See at http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/139.html

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.