If You Do Not Go Up With Us

close up photo of a condenser microphone

Our Christian growth often stalls because we forget that the power of Christ rest upon us. We know which direction we want to go. We have counted the cost involved in order to get there. But our progress is not what it ought to be because we have forgotten what Moses remembered in the wilderness. God told Moses to go up with Israel to the Promised Land. Moses replied, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (Exodus 33:15). 

Moses’ sentiment was, “Lord, your power and glory is upon me here. You meet with me face to face like a man speaks to his friend. I enter this tabernacle to meet with you, the cloud descends, and my face shines with your glory. Quite frankly, Lord, as eager as I am to see all of your promises come to pass, if your presence will not go up with us into Canaan’s Land, we simply can’t go.” Moses was a wise man. And God’s response was not, “Moses you just do what I tell you when I tell you.” God was not upset with Moses’ insistence that God’s presence rest upon him. He was happy to say, “I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name” Exodus 33:17).

If you want things set right (your family, mind, business, attitude), if you want to slay giants in the Promised Land and eat the swollen fruit in those parts, then you have to know more than the directions; you must have more than a really well thought-out game plan, several good examples, and a history of making pretty good decisions.

You need the power of Christ to rest upon you. We have not because we ask not. And just what might happen if we do ask?