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The shocking view of the visitors.

Not Without God's Grace

Back in the 1990s, there was a group of Christians from mainland China who somehow were able to take a tour of the United States. They were visiting churches and ministries across America.

The upshot of it is the Christian Broadcasting Network interviewed them at the end of their tour, asking, “What is your most significant impression? If you could say one thing about the American church, what impressed you the most?”

Their answer was this: “We are amazed at how much the American Christians can do without God.”

They weren't criticizing. They were amazed. These were people who had everything taken from them except God's Word and the Holy Spirit, in varying degrees. Churches were shut down, people imprisoned, so they had to depend on God. There was no other choice.

The Americans they met had never been forced to make that choice. We go the way that people naturally and normally go. We're just being who we are. As I read about this I thought, “If they were in our situation, they would be like us. If we were in their situation, we would be like them. People being people.” This often draws me to Exodus 33.

In verse 7 we see the tent of meeting, where Moses would go and meet with God. A pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance. This was a central focal point of God's manifest presence there. People would see the cloud, they would stand and worship, and the Lord would speak to Moses face to face.

In verse 13 Moses says, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so that I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” He's already received so much of the law, yet he's still hungry for more.

Then the Lord says this in verse 14, “My presence will go with you.” He didn't say, I'll give you more information. He said, You've got the information you need, but I want you to have my presence. My presence will not just be there. It'll go with you. It'll be dynamic. It's not going to be just the unmoving pillar. It's going to be the pillar of the presence that goes with you, and I will give you rest.

In verse 15, Moses says, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” He wants God's presence so much! He's got God's information, but he wants God's presence.

 *Hear the rest of Dr. Lundell’s message below.*

 - Dr. Peter Lundell is a church-planter and an adjunct professor for NBC.