Proximity Without Intimacy: Are You Really Walking With God? - Exodus 32

Have you ever found yourself sitting in a crowded room, surrounded by laughter and activity, yet feeling completely alone? In our spiritual lives, we often face similar feelings. We attend church, engage in religious activities, and interact with believers, but deep down, our hearts might be distanced from God. This is the danger of confusing proximity with intimacy—being near to the action, yet far from its essence.

Imagine yourself as a passenger in a car, arriving with everyone else at the destination, but having no idea how you got there. You sat through the trip but missed the journey. Just like that, we can be part of a church community without really being engaged with God Himself.

7 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.

Before truly walking with God, we must learn to rest with Him. In Exodus 31, God introduces the Sabbath as a sacred sign between Him and His people. It wasn’t just a day off from labor; it was a day to remember and be refreshed in His presence:

"Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you." (Exodus 31:13, NKJV)

Our souls are like sponges, constantly absorbing whatever we surround ourselves with. If we're not actively immersing in God's Word and resting in Him, the world's anxieties and distractions will fill our void. Corporate worship differs from Sabbath rest. While worship is a time of fellowship, serving, and encouragement, true Sabbath rest allows us to sit quietly with God, absorbing His peace.

The Israelites faced uncertainty as Moses delayed his descent from the mountain. Anxiety crept in, prompting them to fashion a golden calf as an alternative source of security. How often do we, anxious in silence, rush to fill God's void with our own creations?

In moments of waiting—prayers unanswered, unchanged circumstances—we, too, construct idols. We might not shape them from gold, but we do place undue trust in relationships, careers, or possessions. This serves as a warning: even leftovers from our offerings can become idols if we place them before God.

Everyone around us falls into one of two groups: those who lead us toward God and those who pull us away. There’s no middle ground here. Even neutral influences can lull us into spiritual complacency. Aaron, God's appointed priest, even led Israel astray. His failure is a stark reminder that titles and talents aren't guarantees of divine guidance.

The true ally in our spiritual journey is the one who challenges us, who doesn’t just comfort but also confronts. These friends, who place our feet to the fire, are not always the most comfortable but are the ones who care enough to speak truth.

Walking away from God occurs in stages: impatience during His delays, finding companions in disobedience, excusing our sins, and hardening our hearts. This gradual process desensitizes us. The Holy Spirit, meant to guide and convict us, can be silenced when we repeatedly ignore His prompts:

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits..." (1 Timothy 4:1, NKJV).

When the once sharp pang of conviction dulls, we’re slipping into spiritual numbness. Gradually, what was once grief-provoking becomes habit.

Despite distance, a return path to God always exists. Moses interceded for Israel, foreshadowing Christ’s ultimate work for us. He pleaded, reminded God of His promises, defining what true intercession embodies—a proactive reach for divine grace.
Two steps define our journey back: consecration and confession. Consecration is actively distancing from sin and re-aligning with God. Confession involves acknowledging our sins without excuses:

“Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book...” (Exodus 32:32, NKJV).

Christ’s role for us is underscored in 1 John:

“These things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1-2, NKJV).

God’s grace doesn’t license sin, but offers cleansing and transformation.

This situation begs introspection: Would you prefer God’s blessings without His presence or His presence amidst challenges? In Brooklyn's bustling backdrop, life’s comforts and trials intermingle charmingly. Would you trade divine intimacy for comfort?

Many comfortably live without God’s active presence, content with religion over relationship. Yet those who truly know God yearn for His presence, choosing it above all else.

As we navigate our spiritual journey, especially in vibrant Brooklyn, a city teeming with opportunities and distractions, we must actively seek God’s presence. This means embracing communities that nurture this relationship rather than just participating in spiritual routines. Brooklyn residents, remind yourself of the Sabbath’s essence amidst the city's rhythm—find God's sacred pause even in urban life’s humdrum. Engage with groups, like Calvary Life, to stay rooted and purposeful.

God's loving arms are constantly open to lead us back from every wandering path. Whether we’ve only just started slipping or are deep into distractions, His call remains steadfast. As we reflect upon His word, let’s commit to seeking His presence over His gifts, knowing true intimacy is our ultimate blessing.

Lord, we stand humbled and grateful. Help us to choose Your presence over worldly offerings. Forgive our wanderings and restore us to intimacy with You. May we become a people who rest in You, walking in Your ways, cherishing Your presence above all. Amen.

The Sabbath rest is a God-ordained day for intentional cessation from work, designed to remember and be refreshed by Him. (Exodus 31:13-17)

In their impatience and absence of visible leadership, Israel made an idol to satisfy their spiritual void, illustrating human tendencies toward self-made security. (Exodus 32:1)

Return through consecration and confession—actively distancing from sin and owning it before God. Jesus’s advocacy ensures our forgiveness and restoration. (Exodus 32:29-33, 1 John 2:1-2)

Gratitude starts by recognizing the depth of God's mercy toward us. In Luke 7:47, Jesus says, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Reflect on your journey, the transformation that grace has wrought in your life, and respond with thanksgiving. Engage in practices like journaling or prayer, specifically focusing on the ways God has moved in your life. This intentional reflection can shift your perspective from entitlement to deep appreciation and service.

Delegation is a critical component of effective ministry, as demonstrated by Moses' experience in Exodus 18:21-22. Jethro advised Moses to select "able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness" to share the burden. This advice prevented Moses from burning out and ensured the community's needs were met efficiently. By delegating, Moses could focus on the bigger picture and maintain personal well-being. Similarly, by sharing responsibilities, ministries can thrive through collective effort, ensuring leaders maintain the capacity to serve well over the long term.