Readings for today: Exodus 33-36
Aliquid Immensum Infinitumque. It’s Latin for “something immense and infinite.” It’s a way to describe how we feel when we stand at the shore of the ocean or stand on top of a mountain or look up into the night time sky and see the Milky Way. In those moments, we find ourselves getting in touch with our “smallness” and God’s “bigness.” The feelings are often overwhelming and awe-inspiring. There’s no way for us to manufacture anything quite like it. Even AI would be at a loss to depict or describe the immensity and eternity and infinity of God. There simply is no substitute for His presence.
This is the truth that gripped Moses and the people of Israel at the foot of Mt. Sinai. It’s not enough for God to send His angels ahead of them to drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land. It’s not enough for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to bring their descendants into a land flowing with milk and honey. If God will not go with them, then the journey isn’t worth undertaking. If God will not be with them, then all the blessings will turn to dust. So Moses sets up a tent. He prevails on God daily. He refuses to leave until God agrees to grow with them. God is testing Israel. He’s testing them to see if they truly want a relationship with Him or if they are in it just for the blessings. Do they truly love Him or are they seeking to use Him as a means to their own ends? After all, that’s what idolatry is all about. It’s an attempt to control God. Manipulate God. Coerce God into doing our will. This is why God had Moses grind the golden calf into powder. This is why God gives such stern warnings about false worship. He is a jealous God. Not jealous in a sinful way but jealous in a protective way for the relationship He has with us.
Is God’s presence enough? It’s an important question. If we never received a single blessing from God, would the promise of His presence be enough for us? What if God offered you all of your hopes and dreams, even promising His angels would go before you to make it all happen, but without His presence? Would you take it? Take some time today and reflect on your life. How much of it do you live with little to no awareness of God’s presence? What spiritual activities are you engaging in to intentionally create an awareness of God’s abiding presence in your life?
Readings for tomorrow: Exodus 37-40