Exodus 33:11 (NLT) Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.

Moses had such an intimate relationship with God that the Bible says God spoke with him as one speaks to a friend. Ever since Moses' burning bush experience, he began his quest to get to know the Lord more and more. By the time that the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, Moses had spent a lot of time with God. But it would get even more intense as he now need the Lord to show him what to do and how to provide for the needs of the people. He had an entire nation of people to look after. There were six hundred thousand men, not counting women and children. That means that there were well over a million people that Moses was responsible for. No wonder he became so intimate with God! The responsibility was so great that no person would be able to do it without God's intervention. Moses was wise enough to spend a lot of time in God's presence, seeking direction.

But we also read in the story of the exodus of the people of God from Egypt that there was a young man who was like Moses' shadow. His name was Joshua and he seemed to follow Moses wherever he went. He not only followed Moses wherever he went, but he also sought after God like he saw Moses doing. So much so, that the Bible tells us in the verse above that when Moses, who was known for spending a ton of time with God, finally would get up to go back to the camp, Joshua would stay behind in the presence of God. Joshua couldn't get enough of God's presence. It's no wonder why when it came time for Moses' ministry to draw to a close, God had already determined to make Joshua the new leader. He promised Joshua that he would be with him as He was with Moses. The Lord told him that no one would be able to stand against him and that He would not abandon him or fail him. This wasn't because Joshua was a great military leader or because he had more talent than anyone else but because he was as hungry for God's presence. Perhaps he was even a little hungrier than Moses was as evidenced by his lingering after Moses would leave the Tent of Meeting. The choice for a new leader was obvious.

There are no shortcuts to being used by God. If that is a desire of yours (and it should be), then the requirement is spending time with God. That means much prayer, much meditating on God's Word, and, yes, spending a good amount of time with God's people in church. Church is where God's people meet and if you are not hungry to be there, then how could God use you to minister to His people? But the real goal of spending time with God is just to be in His glorious presence. It is extremely enjoyable to do so. That's why Joshua didn't want to leave. I'm sure that Joshua wasn't thinking of succeeding Moses (who would in the natural really want that headache?) but was just basking in the glory of our amazing God. But when you do that, you become intimate with Him and that prepares you to be equipped and ready for whatever God asks you to do, and what a great privilege it is to be involved with the things that have eternal value!  Learn a valuable lesson from Joshua and don't be in a hurry when it comes to meeting with God. Stay behind and rest in His presence as there is no more joyful, peaceful and restful place to be!

Pastor Joey Vazquez