As for You, Stand Here by Me

In Deuteronomy 5, Moses recounts the story of the Lord coming down to the people to speak to them and give them His commandments. But the people were afraid. They feared the Lord, as they should have, but because they did not have a relationship or a desire for one, their fear drew them away from the Lord. Unlike Moses when he first saw the burning bush, instead of drawing nearer and experiencing more of this awesome, fearful, loving God, they sent Moses to go for them. "You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it" (Deuteronomy 5:27). Then the Lord says to Moses, "Go and say to them 'Return to your tents.' But as for you, stand here by Me" (vs. 31).

This happens so much, too much. How often does the church say to its leaders or some of its members "You go near and then tell us about it"? Then, when the Lord says, "Ok, it that's what you want, return to your tents" they think "See, it's the Lord's will for some people to do that and we can still benefit." But really they are missing out! The Lord is not saying to them, "Stand here by Me."

I don't want to be one who fears the Lord but has no relationship. I want the Lord to say, "Stand here by Me" not "return to your tent." I want to seek Him and find out what's on His heart. His heart is not as complex as we think...no. In the whole of the law and all that the Lord tells Moses to tell them, the first part- and main part- is "love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5).

God did not choose His people because He wanted to have someone to tell what to do; He wanted a people to love and to love Him back. So don't be one of the ones who says "you go up"! Seek Him yourself and find in the fearfully powerful God a heart of Love and desire for His people.