Faithful on Fridays Blog

Last week I talked about the backstory role of the Spirit. We can now find this hovering Presence descending on individuals with specific assignments from God. Moses was designated, from conception, to receive a Christ-like assignment bringing rescue to God’s people. His story begins in Ex. 3:2 as he receives a visitation from the Angel of the LORD, Jesus, appearing in the midst of a burning bush that wasn’t consumed. During that conversation Moses received his mission from the great I AM.

Jesus referred to this divine encounter in Mark 12:24-26 while speaking of the Scriptures and the power (dunamis) of God. Since He doesn’t have a past, present, or future, Jesus taught, the God that visited Moses remains the God Who died for you, rose again, and is returning one day. He is a God of the living, that’s us, and He promises that same spiritual power to rescue us.

As Moses’ assignment progressed he drew on that power to complete his apostolic mission. Since he did not have the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit as New Testament believers, God visited Him again. Ex. 24:15-18 shows us Moses experiencing the face-to-face presence of God. It was a devouring fire that didn’t consume him but caused a shekinah or visible manifestation of being with God: glory.

When Moses returned from his mountaintop experience with God’s Spirit, his face was shining because he had been talking with God (Ex. 34:29). Can you see where I’m going? The temporary glory seen on Moses’ face, a supernatural manifestation, as astonishing as it was, was only a foretaste of what we have with God today. Paul tells us 2 Cor. 3:7-18 that the glory shining on Moses’ face would fade away as the Old Covenant (Heb. 8:6), a ministry of death and condemnation would pass away as well. The ministry of the Spirit, the Third Person, has even more, exceedingly more, much more, surpassing more, preferably more, and much better more glory. I’m using this exaggeration to put emphasis on the intentional work of the Spirit and to magnify His ministry in our lives.

The role of the Holy Spirit in Moses’ life was powerful yet temporary. On the other hand, His role in our life far surpasses what Moses had because it is permanent. We walk in His glory every day, at home, at work, out shopping, visiting friends, etc. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to remind yourself throughout the day, wherever you are, of His transforming presence moving you, hovering over you, bringing you from one degree of glory to another. This metamorphisis (transformation) is a gradual yet continuous walk, step by step, with the Third Person: the Spirit of God.

Don’t lose heart, you have the ‘light of the knowledge of the glory God in the face of Jesus Christ’ every time you’re in His presence. Just close your eyes and breathe: you’re there.