NOVEMBER 2 | EXODUS 34:1-13

by Kristin Schoeff

What’s your “Super Power”? What is it that makes you unique and special—what sets you apart? Even as young children, we’re always looking for what we do better than the next kid—and parents try to identify these gifts and talents in their children - this “special sauce” - and nurture it.

When Moses asked the Lord to show him his glory in Exodus 33:18, I wonder what he expected to see. A magnificent display of God’s Super Powers—volcanoes, earthquakes and winds shaking the earth? Or perhaps the brilliance and splendor of the heavens filled with countless stars, planets, comets and meteors?

This was the Lord of Heaven and Earth’s chance to reveal his great power and dominance to Moses—to show Moses what was most critical for him to understand about his God.

God’s answer to Moses is the heart of today’s Bible reading. As God had promised Moses he would, in Chapter 34 verse 6 he passed in front of Moses, declaring his name and his goodness. He described to Moses the elements of his character which he most wanted Moses and the people of Israel to know and understand: he is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and full of love and faithfulness. He shows his love endlessly and even forgives those who are wicked and rebel against him. And yes, he is just and punishes those who are guilty and unrepentant.

How revealing of God’s heart that he chose to express his nature of love and compassion. This is the Glory of the Lord! In God, we recognize power and magnificence, but isn’t the greatest wonder his tender love, and his readiness to forgive and restore us when we turn to him?

He calls us to share in this beauty of character as well. Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” The good news is that, even though we might stumble repeatedly at being just, merciful and humble, God sent the Holy Spirit to walk alongside us and teach us, developing the fruit of the Spirit in us as we yield to his loving correction. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) Doesn’t that list of qualities sound similar to the attributes the Lord proclaimed to Moses as he revealed his glory?

Think of how the Glory of the Lord is displayed through his people when we demonstrate that kind of Super Power!

What more can we say, Lord? Let it be so! Display your glory in your church as you continue to build your character in us. We pray this fervently in the name of Jesus, Amen.