Exodus 33:18-19 – “ And Moses said, “Show me your glory.” ¹⁹ And the Lord said, “I will make all my goodness pass before your face, and I will proclaim the Lord by name before you; I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious; I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.”

As I prayed, read, pondered, and considered the Word, the request of Moses in Exodus 33:18-19 and God’s response intrigued me.   I won’t get into goodness and glory but say that it is not the spectacular we need.  We want the bells, whistles, goosebumps, lightning flashes, and thunder.  But God wants us to follow Him with or without the demonstrations.  He wants our wholehearted devotion.  He wants our hearts.

I believe Paul expressed that in Philippians. Regarding his experience, he said, “To truly know Him meant letting go of EVERYTHING from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap.”  Philippians 3:8.

Paul had emptied himself of himself and sought to be filled with Jesus.  He wanted God more than life or things.    He was so focused on being one with Jesus that his expressed view was (verse 20) – “We ARE a colony of heaven on earth AS we cling tightly to our life-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform us…”

How do we do that?   We die to self.   We toss aside our past and submit our ambitions to Him. We train ourselves in that, which is tremendously important.   We Saturate ourselves in prayer every day and throughout the day.  We expose our hearts fully to God.   Philippians 4:6 instructs us to tell Him every detail of our lives. 

As we make ourselves vulnerable, He guards our hearts and minds, enabling us to keep our thoughts Fixed on what is real, honorable, admirable, beautiful, respectful, pure, holy, merciful, and kind.   We are enabled, and we are determined to Fasten our thoughts on every glorious work of God in a state of continual gratitude and praise.  The result – The God of Peace – will be with us in All things.   All things and at All times.

It was in Paul’s focus and surrender that he learned contentment.    Philippians 4:12-13 offers this revelation- “For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming ALL things…”  Matthew 6:33 is our guide.  God first, above all.  Total surrender opens heaven’s door. 

Philippians 3:12 – “I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness I am pursuing, BUT I run with passion into His abundance SO THAT I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me His own.”

My cry and declaration is, “I’m Yours LORD, everything I am, everything I’m not.  I’m Yours TOTALLY.  Help me not take back any of me for me.  Help me to be wholly Yours.“

Victory, peace, power, and provision are our heritage in Jesus.  Have a Great Day!