And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”  Exodus 33:17

What an incredible answer God gave to Moses in the verse above. You may immediately wonder, “What did he ask for?” and “How did he please God?”

Moses asked for God’s presence to go with him as he led the people of Israel through the desert toward the Promised Land. It was not a trivial request.  These were tough times for Moses. The people had been very rebellious and were quick to turn away from trusting God and instead kept trying to do things their own way. It was so bad that God threatened not to go with them. But Moses bowed before the Lord in prayer and petitioned him to be merciful to the people though they had sinned greatly. He pled with God to go with them.

Moses’ heart attitude pleased God. He saw the presence of God as the key to his leadership success. He didn’t ask for riches or power, privilege, or even to be relieved of his responsibility. He sought God’s presence and guidance in a special way at this critical moment.

Moses had complete faith in God to lead the people on their difficult journey and that pleased God. He lived the words of Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

God had blessed Moses with strong leadership skills, and he had every reason to be self-confident. But Moses didn’t just rely on the talents and abilities God had given him. He also earnestly sought the ongoing presence of God in his life and leadership. That pleased God and was the key to his success.

Are you earnestly seeking the presence of God in your life?