“And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Exodus 33:14).

Moses was greatly concerned over the heavy responsibility of leading the nation of Israel into the promised land. He even came to the place where he said to the Lord, “See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me” (33:12). The Lord’s answer is significant. He promised Moses that he would not have to search for outside help because His personal presence would go with him. He would give him victory and rest. Moses quickly responded, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (33:15), and, “For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us?” (33:16).

Moses learned a valuable lesson that all believers should take to heart—namely, that the Lord “will never leave (us) nor forsake (us)” (Hebrews 13:5). This verse is quoted from Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

Not only has the Lord promised to go before the sheep when He sends them forth (John 10:4), but He has revealed the comforting truth that each member of the Godhead resides within every true believer. Jesus spoke of this in John 14.

The Holy Spirit—“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever” (14:16).

The Father and the Son—“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (14:23).

As we walk daily in the realization of God’s immediate presence, He will surely give us rest. NPS