On Seeking the Lord
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not permanently indwell believers as we experience today. God revealed Himself uniquely to people like Moses and other leaders and prophets. God also manifested His presence in special places like the Tabernacle and the Temple. Even before the Tabernacle could be built, Moses pitched a tent outside the camp of Israel that he called the tent of meeting. Everyone who wanted to seek the Lord would go out to this location and meet with the Lord.
Moses frequented the tent regularly enough for the entire congregation of Israel to take notice. Certainly it helped that God manifested His presence visibly through a pillar of cloud that would descend while Moses sought the Lord. During these moments, the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, “as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). Moses’ sojourning to the tent of meeting were rewarded with life-altering conversation with God. As amazing as all of this is, one other detail captures my imagination.
After telling us that the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, Exodus 33:11 goes on to say: “When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.” Apparently, Joshua matched Moses’ determination to seek the Lord. Joshua’s mention here seems crucial in understanding how the Lord later worked through his life.
What prepared Joshua to lead God’s people once Moses stepped off the scene? Certainly his military leadership didn’t hurt him. Certainly his zeal for serving his nation contributed. Yet the pivotal moment in the making of this leader began at the tent of meeting. There is something about seeking the presence of God that prepares a leader.
The most crucial preparation any leader makes is the spiritual preparation that comes by seeking God. If you do not seek the presence of God, you demonstrate a willingness to lead without the blessing of God. Without the wisdom of God. Without the favor of God. Without the hand of God. You can lead without God’s help but why would you want to? As Joshua would later say: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”