Some people may wonder when they read the fantastic Old Testament stories, or maybe as they watch The Bible Series on TV: “but we don’t have the opportunity Moses had to speak with the Lord face to face.”
Yet the average believer today has far more in the way of God’s resources than Moses had.
1. The Word of God: We have the completed, written revelation of God’s perspective — everything we need and all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). The Word of God gives us clear and objective guidance (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It tells us what to believe (doctrine), and when we’re wrong (reproof); it gets us “back on track” (correction); and it give us positive principles that enable us to “stay on track” in our relationship with God and others (instruction in right living).
2. The Holy Spirit: We also have the resource of God the Holy Spirit living within us (Romans 8:9), which was not true for Old Testament saints. He is the ultimate Counselor, the one Jesus described in John 16 as the comforter, the paraclete (“called alongside to help”). He is the One who provides our enablement, as we walk in His power, to keep us from fulfilling the evil desires of our old nature (Galatians 5:16).
3. Prayer: We have a direct and instant access line for communication with God through prayer. When we utilize this incredible resource, the apostle Paul promises not only peace of mind (Philippians 4:7), but the presence of God in our lives (v. 9), personal enablement for trying circumstances (v. 13), and provision for every genuine need (v. 19). (Points 1-3 adapted from “Before Burnout”, pp. 105-106).
4. The Gospel: We have intimate knowledge of the love of God through the cross and blood of Jesus Christ, atoning for our sins and making a clear path for us to know God. Jesus became for us the clear picture of Who God really is (Colossians 1:5). This reality enables to boldly approach God’s throne to recieve mercy in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! – 2 Corinthians 3:6-10
