Keep Your Heart Simple Before God

Moses was a man who had intimate communion with God. Exodus 33:11 says, So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. (NKJV)

Moses was a man who had an intimate relationship with God. Deuteronomy 34:10 says,  But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. (NKJV)

Moses was a man who had intimate privilege with God. Numbers 12:8 says, I (God) speak with him (Moses) face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings, and he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses? (NKJV)

That puts Moses way ahead of all the Israelites of his day, and even in the days to follow after him. Yet he prayed in Exodus 33:13,  Now, therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You... (NKJV)

Notice that Moses prayed, even though he was face-to-face friendly with God. There is something to say about respect, even for those who are your close and familiar friends. Though Moses had remarkable access to God, he never presumed. Moses kept his heart simple before God. He could be stern and strict with those whom he lead; that is what leaders do when those given to follow them become diffident and lazy. But to God, although he knew that he had found grace in God's sight and was a true friend of God, he still approached God with great reverence, asking as a child asks his father for a favor. I believe Moses knew that God would grant his request before he asked, yet he still reverenced God and approached in a proper manner to the Ruler of the Universe. Even that approach gave him a better foundation for his request.

This was not subtle manipulation on Moses' part. On the contrary, this was deep, abiding respect for his dear friend. Respect goes a long way, and it never hurts us to give it to others. Yes, God has promised you as a child of God, washed in the blood of his Son that he will give you that for which you make earnest request. Still, it is good advice to say, keep your heart simple before God.

Make sure of your reason for asking and make sure of your reasonable approach to Him Who rules overall. It is just a wise thing. Even when asking is unnecessary - in the area of healing your body, for example - still your approach to him in respect and thanksgiving to take that which is yours is always a wise approach.

May God hear all your requests, and may you know that he does and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.