This short dialogue is the starting-point for today’s prayer:
Moses: Show me your glorious presence.
God: I will make all my goodness pass before you. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live. Look, stand near me on this rock. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by (Exodus 33:18-22; NLT).
1. With thick clouds, Lord, you shield me
From your glory,
While you dwell within my flesh,
To give me life.
2. With shadows, you protect me
From your brilliance,
While you dwell within my mind,
To give me light.
3. With darkness, you preserve me
From your power,
While you dwell within my heart,
To give me rest;
4. And though my anguish
Blinds me to your presence,
You dwell within my soul,
So I am blest.
References
1. Thick clouds swirl about him (Job 22:14; NIV).
God is my shield (Psalm 7:10; NLT).
There is […] one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).
He himself gives life and breath to everything (Acts 17:25; NLT).
2. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand (Isaiah 49:2; NLT).
He […] protects those who suffer (Job:11; NLT).
His face was like the sun in all its brilliance (Revelation 1:16; NLT).
The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness (Psalm 18:28; NLT).
3. He shrouded himself in darkness (2 Samuel 22:12; NLT).
The Lord preserves the simple (Psalm 116:6; RSV).
All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his (Jude 1:25; NLT).
I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; NLT).
4. How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? (Psalm 13:2; NLT).
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Psalm 22:1; NLT).
My eyes are blinded by my tears (Psalm 88:9; NLT).
You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).
God blesses those who are poor in spirit, and realise their need for him (Matthew 5:3; NLT).
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation (James 1:12; NLT).