The book of Exodus describes an amazing significant event that happened in the life of Moses. “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” (33:11).
Such an encounter with God seems so unreal. The Lord God, almighty and sovereign creator of all that exists, talking to a human man, face to face, friend to friend. I wonder how you and I would respond to such an intimate “face-to-face” encounter with our Lord God.
But Moses was not the first person to experience this kind of relational encounter. Many years earlier, Abraham had a similar experience. You can read the story in Genesis 18:1-8.
The Lord had already appeared twice to Abraham. In Genesis 15, God established the covenant with him concerning Canaan, the land of promise. In Genesis 17, the Lord appeared to establish the covenant concerning the birth of Isaac. Now, in Genesis 18, the Lord comes simply to be with Abraham. Ninety-nine-year-old Abraham had walked with God for too many years not to recognize Him. He leaped to his feet and ran to Him and bowed in worship.
We can read of God making intimate encounters, coming face to face, with his people throughout the Old Testament stories. He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden in the cool of the day in Genesis 3. He wrestled all night with Jacob at the ford of the Jabbok in Genesis 32.
He appeared to Manoah and his wife before the birth of Samson in Judges 13. He appeared to Joshua before the battle of Jericho as “Commander of the army of the Lord” in Joshua 5. This story also underlines the fact that Joshua “fell on his face to the earth and worshiped” Him.
Biblical scholars tell us that these physical appearances of God are the preincarnate, physical manifestation of the Lord God of Israel, sometimes referred to as “the Angel of the Lord” whose name is Jesus.
I believe that this same Lord Jesus who visited with Abraham, Moses, and Joshua also wants a personal companionship with you and me? Could it be that in those moments of emptiness and loneliness in your soul, the living Jesus is seeking to walk and talk with you? “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20).
Yes, I may be taught, cared for, and nourished by the help and counsel of pastors, spiritual leaders, and Christian friends. But the Lord Himself, who saved me and called me into Kingdom work, also desires for me to welcome His more intimate “face to face” relationship with Himself. He is the One who knows when I sit and when I rise.
He is the One who knows the thoughts and intents of my heart, who knows each word before it is spoken from my lips, and who numbers the hairs on my head. He is the One who desires to be intimately close to us, to disclose Himself, and yes, to speak face-to-face with us.
There is something powerful about the living Lord coming for a “face to face” visit with us, whether it is in your heart, in your home and family, or in an assembly with other believers. Yes, in one sense He is always with us. He everywhere present and never absent. But that was true in Abraham’s day also and yet, this kind of visitation by the Lord holds a superior quality.
Yes, His Holy Spirit indwells us and fills us. But there are wonderful moments or times in our walk of faith when, for whatever reason, His presence becomes very tangible and very precious. Suddenly you look up and you know that He is there. You sense His presence in the room. What do you do in those moments? If we are not careful, we could miss them altogether.
It happened on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, while two of Jesus’ followers were walking on the road to Emmaus, troubled in spirit by all that had taken place. A third person joined them as they walked. It was the risen Lord, but they did not recognize Him.
All along that road they poured out their hearts to Him, telling Him the tragedy of their Lord’s death on the cross and the perplexing news that Jesus might be alive again. As they approached the village that was their home, we read that “Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us.” (Lk. 24:28-29).
The Lord is always looking for people, like Abraham and these two distraught disciples, who will invite His presence. He is looking for people who will say, “Lord, don’t walk on by. Please stay.”
There was a little song we used to sing around a summer campfire. It most likely originated among Christian believers somewhere in the Caribbean. “Kum by yah, my Lord, kum by yah.” It means, “Lord, come by here.” Is that the cry of your heart?
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – October 13, 2021
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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