At the end of Exodus 34 we see Moses coming down from Mount Sinai after a "close encounter of a God-kind". He had experienced such a revelation of the living God that God's glory was shining on his face. What is the insight for us? That a deep revelation of God brings change to those who experience Him. He was given access to the presence of God, removing the veil covering His face, and he became a transformed worshipper - glowing with the glory of God.
God removed a veil on the day of the crucifixion that gives us the same kind of access. And 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit". God invites us into an amazing place in worship. His desire is to transform us into His likeness. But, it can only happen as we allow ourselves to spend quality time with Him.
He desires an intimate relationship so that His glory might be seen. Jesus reiterates this in Revelation 3:20. "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me." Too often we take this passage to be evangelistic for the lost; however, Jesus is inviting His people to a greater intimacy with Him. There will be a whole different dynamic in worship if we will fix our eyes on Jesus. And to see Him is to reflect His glory. It is only then that we can truly be "making His Praise known"! Our worship with the gathered body every Sunday is dependent on how many of us have paid the price to be with Him intimately - to the point of HIS glory being on our faces in worship. May we be faithful! mjm
