Fuel for Life, Part 3

In Exodus 33, Moses retreats to the “tent of meeting” to seek God amidst doubt and frustration after the Israelites’ rebellion. His time in solitude not only brings him face-to-face with God’s presence but also renews his sense of purpose and deepens his dependence on God, highlighting the transformative power of silence in gaining divine guidance and strength.

This is Our God
Phil Wickham

Worthy
Elevation Worship

Christ be Magnified
Cody Carnes

Forever Amen
Steffany Gretzinger

Eremos
The wilderness, the desert, or lonely place.

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Exodus 33:7
Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.

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Johann Stari, Stolen Focus
“I tried to live, but I got distracted.”

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Exodus 33:8-11
And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

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Solitude and Silence
1. Offers you the undivided presence of the Father.

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Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

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James 4:8
Come near to God and He will come near to you.

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Solitude and Silence
2. Benefits the people around us.

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Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

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Solitude and Silence
3. Reminds us of who we are in Jesus.

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Exodus 33:11
The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.

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John 15:13-16
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

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Solitude and Silence
4. Helps us with perspective.

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Exodus 33:12-17
Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people, ’but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” 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.”

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