Hearing His Voice #163

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.

Exodus 33:11

Some of Israel’s leaders looked down on Moses’ relationship with God and assumed they were just as special as he was. They rebelled against him, and God had to put them in their place. Others might have assumed that Moses’ relationship with God was exceptional, far more privileged than they would ever be allowed to experience. They followed him and deferred to his leadership, gladly letting him be the intermediary between themselves and God.

Joshua was different. He understood the extraordinary privilege of Moses’ relationship with God, never downplaying the uniqueness of it or treating it as something other than special. But neither did he see it as unattainable. He understood that God’s conversations with Moses were unprecedented, but that didn’t mean they would be unrepeatable. God does not play favorites, we’re told (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6), which means that when we see how He relates to one person, we can accept that as an opportunity to invite Him to relate to us that way as well. What He has made available to one is, at least in principle, available to all. There may be conditions to meet—such as spiritual hunger and seeking His Kingdom above all—but anyone who meets with God on His terms is qualified to relate to Him deeply.

Joshua demonstrated the kind of spirit that is able to hear God well. He positioned himself for relationship, because he had observed that it was possible. He remained in God’s place of presence even after Moses had left. He set his heart on what is most important, and God eventually related to him just as He had related to Moses. If we see what Joshua has done—and if we accept that as an invitation to do the same—we will experience the same kinds of rewards.

Lord, You are just as willing to relate to me as You are to anyone. But I am hungrier than most. I’ll sit in Your presence as long as it takes. Fill my heart with Your voice.