Our Healthiest Request

When God said to Moses, "I myself will go with you. I will do what you ask, because I know you very well, and I am pleased with you" (Ex 33:12), what was Moses' response?

He stuck around.

Picture it. That one phrase from God - I will do what you ask - had Moses scratching his chin. So what did he ask for? More money? Power? To be liked by the ungrateful Israelites? Or what about health? Surely he wanted clear eyes, strong muscle, fast feet? Perhaps a bit less waist around the waistline, or maybe a little youth in his step? No. Moses wanted nothing of that. "Please show me your glory" he said. (v. 18)

And Moses wasn't alone. Amid painful and dangerous circumstances, who would have blamed David for requesting refuge? Not me. Knowing what David had been through, we may have anticipated his plea for safety, or even the ability to fly. But David set his heart on the pearl and his eye on the prize. "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." (Psalm 27:4)

With our short Summer hiatus coming to an end, I want that to continuously be our plea and our most earnest desire. Like David, to seek Him in His temple and to seek Him with ours.

I can live with an aging body. I can live with weakening muscle, a slower metabolism, a crumbling spine and an ever-receding hair line (although I wouldn't mind keeping a little on the top.) Yes friends, I can live without my body, but I can't live without my Jesus. May our health be one of the many reasons why the lost are found. May 'seeing His glory' be our healthiest request. 

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: What is your heart's desire this week? If God said to us what He said to Moses, what would our response be?