COMMUNION AND TRANSFORMATION

Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. (Exodus 34:29 NKJV)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)

 Moses, as he returned from the mountain of vision, where he had beheld as much of God's glory as seems possible to man, caught some gleam of the Light which he saw. There was a strange radiance on his face, unknown to himself, but visible to all. He remained long enough in the presence of God to become saturated with the light and glory of the Lord. What wonder that he radiated with it and was compelled to cover his face with a veil!

The Apostle Paul refers to this incident and shows that the light which shone upon the face of Moses is the symbol of the radiance of character which shines from those who behold or reflect the glory of the Lord. As we behold the glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ, we are changed into His likeness.

There are two laws for Christian living: (1) Keep looking at Jesus until you become like Him, and (2) Beholding Him are changed into the same image. Then, reflect Him to others, and as you endeavor to reflect Him, the work of transformation goes on. "Tell me the company a man keeps, and I will tell you his character"; so runs the old proverb. We might go further and say, tell us what are the subjects of his habitual consideration--art, literature, theology, law, commerce, philanthropy--and we shall be able to anticipate the expression that will come upon his face.

If we desire to be pure and good, Christ-like and God like, we must live in fellowship with Christ; beholding and reflecting His glory, even the lowliest and most sinful may become changed into His image. How different to Moses is the unveiled glory of Christ. Let's beware of anything that might bring a veil between Him and us, and nothing will do this as much as sin, and inconsistency. Moses wished that his face didn't shine, and Samson wished that the Lord had not departed from him (Judges 16:20). There is a tragic as well as a blessed unconsciousness. Let's see to it that we watch and pray, that we may not be taken unknowingly, and deprived of our purity and strength while in a state of unconsciousness.

PRAYER

We long to be holy as You are holy; to love as Christ also loved us; to be patient and unmurmuring as He was, and so to resemble Him that men may love Him for what they see of His likeness in us. I pray this in His name, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #348:
I will keep you safe from trouble for I am your hiding place.

Psalm 32:7 (WEB)
You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble.
You will surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.