The Bible records many unusual and poignant petitions that were sent up to the Lord. There was Joshua, standing with his arms stretched toward the sun and crying out, "Sun, stand thou still." The Bible says the sun stood still "and hasted not to go down about a whole day" (Joshua 10:12-13). We read of Elijah commanding it to rain after there had been no rain for three years and six months, and the heavens gave forth their rain. (See 1 Kings 18:41-45.) There was also Jacob, wrestling before God with an angel until he overcame. The angel changed Jacob’s name, and said, “For as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Genesis 32:28).

Yet, of all the petitions that were ever sent up to God, one of the greatest must be that of Moses: "I beseech thee, shew me thy glory'' (Exodus 33:18). Can you think of a mortal, terrestrial man saying to the great eternal God, “I beseech thee, shew me thy glory”? It must have caused Moses himself to tremble when he heard his voice speaking such words to God.

This was not just an offhand request Moses made. The full account is given in Exodus 32-33. Moses had been in the counsel chambers of the Triune God on Mount Sinai for forty days receiving the Law. After the Law was given, the Lord had revealed to Moses that the Children of Israel had sinned and that He was going to destroy them. He refused to lead such a rebellious people.

Moses wasn’t content with the Angel to lead them. He sought God again until He said, “My presence shall go with thee." Moses still wanted more, however, and he said, "Shew me thy glory."

God said to Moses, "Let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation." Yet Moses interceded before God. He besought God for the Children of Israel. In effect he was asking, “What will happen to Your great name? You gave Your covenant to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob that You would lead this people out. You cannot destroy them now.”

At the intercession of Moses, God relented and said, "Go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee.” But Moses wasn’t content with the Angel to lead them. He sought God again until He said, “My presence shall go with thee." Moses still wanted more, however, and he said, "Shew me thy glory." God said, "I will make all my goodness pass before thee." All my goodness! Just think of what a glory that would be!

The account continues, "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: and it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: and I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen" (Exodus 33:20-23). In other words, “I will let you see just as much of My glory as it is possible for you to see and yet live.” Mortal man was never designed to look on the face of the great eternal God. Never was a man so favored as Moses was—to be able to see the glory of God as he did.

When we get a vision of the Lord, it will thrill our souls. When we see even a small part of His glory, it will set us on fire for God. 

When we get a vision of the Lord, it will thrill our souls. When we see even a small part of His glory, it will set us on fire for God. In the words of the familiar hymn, “the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” When our goal is, “I beseech thee, shew me Thy glory,” and we ask God to open His Word and His will to us, and are willing to obey Him, we are truly blessed.

We cannot hold back from yielding to God and expect to receive His blessing. You might deceive your minister, your friends, or your wife. You might put up a front and make them believe you are a real Christian. But “be not deceived; God is not mocked” (Galatians 6:7). You will never deceive Him. You are going to have to deliver the real goods. You will have to lay hold on God and dedicate and consecrate your life to Him in order to enjoy His favor.

The Bible says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you" (James 4:7-8). People sometimes say, “It seems that the devil is on my trail all the time.” There is an antidote for this problem: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Lay hold upon God and His promises. Lay everything of this world aside. How God’s blessing will fill your soul!

When we pray and seek God, He is pleased with our asking. Some people say, “Don’t be a beggar.” Well, it isn’t a case of begging. It is a matter of conforming our lives to God’s will. When we do that,  He will pour out His blessings upon us, and the joy of God will fill our hearts and lives.

When we see the real glory of God, we will not be able to hold our peace. We will shout it out. We will pray fervently. We will have so much for which to thank God!

The place where we can see the glory of God in a greater measure than ever before is in the cleft of the Rock—the Rock Christ Jesus.

The place where we can see the glory of God in a greater measure than ever before is in the cleft of the Rock—the Rock Christ Jesus. There, the things of this world fade into insignificance, and we see the wonder of God's salvation. When we envision the Christ who paid the fearful price on Calvary’s Cross for us, that will take precedence over anything in this world.

The greatest glory, however, will be when we step over onto Heaven's shores and see the unveiled glory of God; "Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12). All through eternity we will be able to see the glory of God—the glory of which Moses was privileged to see only a little! Over there, we are going to be amazed at the greatness of our God. His glory will be transcendent! Even the most glorious times we have ever had around the altars of prayer or in the presence of God are going to pale into insignificance compared with His glory when it is revealed to us in all its fullness. It will be wonderful!

"I beseech thee, shew me thy glory." Is that your desire and purpose?