A Place by Me

We’ll probably head back into Matthew next post, but I just couldn’t resist passing along this incredible phrase from Exodus 33. Some of you know that my theme for this year centers around God as our Rock. As I continue to explore the Scriptures, I’m searching out all references referring to the word “rock.” That’s how I ran across this verse last week.

“Then the Lord said, ‘Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock;’ “ Exodus 33:21 (NASB)

How comforting . . . “a place by Me.” The Father has a place right by Him reserved for me. He invites me to draw near, rest in that closeness, then live with that confidence.

Think back to Jr High School. Can you remember walking into the crowded lunch room, scoping out your possibilities, finding all the tables filled with loud-laughing peers already deeply ingrossed in conversations that didn’t involve you? There you stood, holding your tray, hoping to be included. Then, from across the cafeteria, a friend stands to wave you over and you hear him call your name. He says, “Over here. Come on. I have a place by me.”

Everyone of us wants to be wanted. We long to be loved. We crave connectedness. Here, in Exodus 33, we read that beautiful phrase – “There is a place by Me.” And the Me is capitalized! That’s God speaking. The Almighty, Eternal, Matchless, Ruler of all Creation has reserved a place by His side for me. He wants me. He chooses me. He calls out to me.

And where would I rather be? By Him is a good place to stand. It’s a safe place. A place of security and steady stepping. When near the Lord, we stand firm on the rock.

In Exodus 33, Moses asks God to show him His glory. God responds by moving Moses in close. Bringing him near. Planting him on the rock. Because what Moses was about to witness would blow him away.

That’s it! That’s where I want to be. So sublimely close that I experience His glory. To dwell with Him – it is enough.

“There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God; A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.

O, Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God, hold us who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God; a place where we our Savior meet, near to the heart of  God.

There is a place of full release, near to the heart of God; a place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God.”(Cleland B. McAfee)

Your Heavenly Father has a place right by Him just for you. Will you scoot on in?