Matthew 5:8 (NLT)
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
How do we become “pure”?
Isaiah 59:3 (ASV)
For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness.
Isaiah 1:16-18 (ESV)
16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause 18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Hebrews 9:22 (ESV)
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
The stain of sin is removed so that a new “stain” can be applied.
Matthew 5:8 (NLT)
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
See – horao (hor-ah’-o)
– to see with the eyes
– to see with the mind, to perceive, know
– to become acquainted with by experience, to experience
Exodus 33:12-13 (NLT)
One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13 If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.”
Exodus 33:14 (NLT)
14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
What are the benefits of God’s presence?
- Rest
Exodus 33:15-16 (NLT)
15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”
- Distinction
distinguished – Palah (paw-law’)
Psalm 139:14 (ESV)
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Exodus 33:17 (NLT)
The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
Exodus 33:18 (NLT)
Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”
Exodus 33:19-20 (NLT)
The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. 20 But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.”