Exodus 33:17, So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in my sight, and I know you by name.”

Grace is the reason God hears us, and answers us in prayer. It is not by works of righteousness that we have done.

Self righteousness is in our nature, and we must battle it and keep it down. God humbles us for this purpose. Luke 14:11, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” He allows us to see that we are trusting ourselves. He delivers us from this evil, lest we become unusable and obnoxious [2 Cor 12:7]. He spares us from ourselves.

Let self righteous pride be rooted out, and do everything by grace. By grace expect him to hear you in prayer. By grace expect him to abide with you. By grace expect him to save others.

First, "So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken." Moses' request was mighty. He wanted God to go with Israel, who sinned greatly. Exodus 33:5, For the Lord said to Moses: “Tell the Israelites: You are a stiff-necked people. If I went with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.” Moses wanted God to enable him to lead the people. Exodus 33:15-16, “And he said to him, If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

You and I have NO RIGHT to this. We have no right to God's presence, except his mercy makes us obedient [John 14:23]. We have no right for him to reveal himself to us! He could have left us blind. He came to us in sovereign mercy, just like he came to Paul. Acts 22:14, “And he said, The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;”

He didn't choose us because we're better than others. Our faith and obedience are also his gifts [1 Tim 1:14]. He works more faith in one believer than another, even as one star shines more brightly. Romans 12:3, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

We must preach according to the proportion of faith [Romans 12:6]. We can't think because we read spiritual people that we're at their level, simply because we agree with their teaching. No, be humble. Walk as one obtaining everything from the Lord. You and I could be the lowest sinners on earth, or already consigned to hell.

Secondly, "For you have found grace." This is the reason: God is good to you particularly in a special way. His grace long ago sought you and bought you in the plan of redemption. He abounded to you in wisdom, giving you the riches of Christ, when you were clothed in filthiness. Ephesians 1:8, “which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” He took away our sins, when we were dirty.

Now, he enables us to pray, and opens our hearts. Now, he seeks us, so we seek him. It is grace and mercy all the way. Not one drop is man’s effort or human strength. Not one drop is merit.

Please, get the self righteousness out of here! Let's stand AMAZED AT GRACE. Let's marvel to be in Christ [1 Cor 1:29]!

Thirdly, he says, "I know you by name." God knows us particularly. We are highly favored and individually received. We moan apart, and we're received apart, with the love he has for all the church [Zech 12:12; Eph 3:18]. We are blessed to TALK TO HIM, and he hears us. We come by faith, not having to feel great power, but simply believing that he hears and answers.

We don't have to doubt our relationship. Grace has made it good. We're in the covenant with all the precious promises. He's a Father to us, and always does us good, even in discipline. Hebrews 12:10, “For [earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.”

He will help us out of sin and bondage. Mistakes will not bar his presence. Anyone who repents and believes will have him. Acts 2:38, "And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Let this gospel ring your heart. Draw near when Absalom threatens you [Psalm 3, 63]. Use the barking of Shemei for good [2 Sam 16]. Do not fear!