Eighty Percent

I began reading Genesis this fall and have made my way into Exodus. I think I was wanting to connect with the Mighty God who demonstrated power and strength through creation, the flood, Joseph, the plagues, and the parting of seas. My soul needed to taste again His goodness and divine control over the world. In these early chapters in His written word, we get to know Yahweh (the I AM), Yahweh Raffa (Lord Who Heals), El Roi (the God Who sees), etc. All of these attributes of our God are so comforting to me at this stage in our journey. 


I love reading about the Cloud by day and the Fire by night, and the Angel of the Lord that goes before the group. As I read, I claim that blessed protection for my family, my team, and our loved ones here who we will soon kiss goodbye. 


I have always been struck by the fact that "the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend." (Ex. 33: 11). So when I came to that verse this time around, I moved to the edge of my seat, because I remembered that this was when He showed Moses His goodness! Well, as I read this time, the conversation between them that we get a glimpse of touched a tender place in my heart. Moses is expressing his fear that things aren't going to go so well for Israel as they enter the land that Yahweh had promised to take them to. His words resonated deeply in me: 

"Then he (Moses) said to Him (LORD), 'If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.'" (Exodus 33:15)

The Lord's response is so calming.

"I will do this thing...I have known you by name." (Ex. 33:17) 

And then Moses gets to see the glory (goodness) of the Lord.

I have begun praying those words to Him. Truly, anything we venture to do in our lives is meaningless, empty, scary, impossible unless the God Who Sees is with us, goes before us, and hems us in behind!

We got an email last week from a woman who wants to support us. Tuck quickly calculated and proclaimed, "We're at 80%!" It is incredible what the Lord has done. He has done it all.

Hebrews says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (13:8). He will do this thing, for He has known us by name. He is worthy of praise!