We Pursue God to Hear from Him

Story

What does it mean to be “close to God?” Does it mean you go to church every week? Does it mean you're nice to everyone all the time, no matter what? When we are very young, we look to our parents for comfort and direction. We love sitting on their lap, praying at the end of the day, or having them read to us. We know we’re “close” to them even when we're in different rooms because we know they love us. Being “close to God” is a lot like that.

Moses had a close relationship with God. When he climbed Mount Sinai, God met him there and told him many things he was to share with the people of Israel. Moses even asked to see God, and He said, “Yes!” He even had a special tent where he and God had their own meetings. Moses was able to feel that “closeness” to God that lots of us desire. When we read the Bible and hear its stories, we don’t want to be like the people of Israel in Exodus 32 who were worshiping a golden calf instead of the One True God. When we hear the Bible’s stories, we want to be like Moses who got to see God’s glory and heard from Him directly.

Bible

Read Exodus 32–33. Note that some of the content may be somewhat heavy for young readers. You’re the parents, use your own judgment on what to omit.

Think

It would be easy to think God chose Moses because he was somehow special. It would be easy to live with the idea that a close relationship with God is too hard, or that we’re not “holy enough.” Moses did have something special, but Jesus offers us something better. In Hebrews 3:1–6 (you can read that, too!), we learn that Jesus is greater than Moses, because Jesus gives us the ability to become children of God (John 1:14). When we believe in Jesus, we can be brought closer to God than even Moses! We’re given direct access to God because of what Jesus did. You can have your own special meetings with God! What will you talk to Him about?

Do Something

Parents, God has given you spiritual authority over your children, which means that every moment you have with them, whether special or mundane, is an opportunity for you to be an example to them of what God is like. As they get older, their friends and peers will have greater influence over them, but your influence will still remain greatest of all. You can show them what being “close to God” is like by first pursuing God yourself and then finding ways to be close to your children. Take time to pray over and read to your children from God’s Word at whatever level they can handle. Then when they get older and ask, “What does it feel like to be close to God?”, you can say, “It’s just like you and me”.

Pray

God, we come to You in the name of Jesus and ask for You to show us Your glory. Help us take with both hands all the blessings Jesus gave us when we became children of God. Help us to chase after You, so our kids will do the same. Amen.