Gems from Jesus

Dear readers,

No, this isn't the post I promised last time. To my shame I have not finished studying that one out yet :( and I apologize!! But it is still forthcoming, so stay tuned for PART 2 of "What Does It Mean to be On the LORD's Side??"!!!

I would like to share some verses with you all however that I pray will be as encouraging and meaningful to you as they were to me!!

"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend..."

~~Exodus 33:11a~~

   "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."

~~John 15:13-15~~

What a unmerited favor and privilege to be called the friend of Jesus Christ!!

 "And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle."

~~Exodus 33:11b~~

As a YOUNG man, a young WARRIOR, Joshua saw and desired the close fellowship that Moses had with the LORD. Surely when He saw and heard God and Moses communing together in the Tabernacle and upon the Mount of God, he yearned for this kind of fellowship with the God of his fathers. So when Moses emerged from God’s presence in the Tabernacle, and went back to speak to the people, Joshua, a young man, departed not out of the Tabernacle- the place where God met with and spoke to those who sought Him with their whole hearts! (see Exodus 33:7 and Deuteronomy 4:29-31) No doubt he pleaded with God for that type of fellowship! Joshua, as a young man, was seeking God with all his heart and soul—he was spending time with God! Even though Moses finished and left, Joshua did not let that deter him from spending a little extra time with the God he loved! But what struck me about this account of Joshua was this: the Scripture doesn’t tell us that God spoke face to face with Joshua. Of course this doesn’t mean He didn’t, but it brings up and interesting and applicable point. Joshua must’ve known God was talking with Moses face to face, friend with friend, and wanted that same fellowship with Him. Perhaps that’s why Joshua stayed behind- to ask for it! But even though at this point Joshua does not receive the fellowship he so fervently desires, he doesn’t allow that to discourage him from spending time with Jesus! And neither should we! He stayed behind anyway to talk to God. And what happened? Nothing, you might say. Well—nothing yet! Nothing at the time Joshua may have wanted it. But forty-something years down the road, Whom did Joshua happen to meet with, face to face? (see Joshua 5:13-15) The Captain of the Host of the LORD—the Angel of the LORD—the preincarnate CHRIST! Even though at first it seemed as though his prayers were not answered, he did not become discouraged, he continued to spend time with God, and God rewarded Joshua’s years of steadfast service with a glimpse of the face of Christ! So don’t become discouraged! Don’t allow Satan to deter you from spending time with and standing fast for the One Who died for you! Joshua stood fast for over forty years—DEPART NOT!!!

 "And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."

~~Exodus 33:14~~

 "...I know thee by name."

~~Exodus 33:17b~~

  "And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."

~~Exodus 33:21-23~~

(This picture made me think of the "cleft of the rock" :D )