In Exodus 33:12-23, we see Moses' specific and persistent prayer to God. God was pleased to meet with Moses. As God had not given His reply as to whether He would lead Moses and the children of God into the Promised Land, Moses continued to pray and request for the presence of God to be with them.

1.  Moses’ request for God's presence (Exod 33:12-14)

When Moses prayed, he prayed according to God’s Word, His Will and His promise. Because Moses' prayer was aligned with God's will, God answered his prayer. Moses prayed in light of the grace of God. This grace is the acceptance and relationship with God. It is grace upon grace which Moses prayed for.

Moses knew that it is an impossible task for him alone to lead the children of God into the Promised Land. He knew that God's presence must be with him in order for him to be able to do it.

Through every phase of our lives, we must desire the presence of God to be with us. Instead of being independent from God, we must seek to be dependent on God. God has promised that He will always be with us.

2.  Moses’ request for God’s presence to be with His people (Exod 33:15-17)

Moses did not limit his request for God’s presence to be with him only. He expanded his request for God’s presence to be with the people of Israel as well. The people of Israel were different from the people of the world in that the former had found favour in God's sight, and God was present with them. God's presence is a distinguishing mark of God's favour towards His people. If we do not have the presence of God with us, we are nothing.

God answered both the requests of Moses for His presence to be with him and to be with the people.

3. Moses’ request to see the glory of God (Exod 33:18-23)

Moses, wanting a confirmation and assurance of God's presence, requested to see the glory of God. Moses wanted God to be glorified even though he had seen God's glory before. And God was pleased to allow Moses to see His glory.

Do we also desire for God to be glorified and magnified in our lives?