Moses just wanted God. Why did He ask this?
Maybe he was lonely. The people, including his brother Aaron, had strayed from God.
"The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” Exodus 33:14
God knew what Moses needed.
It's easy to get swept up into chaos, into politics of people around you.
"How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:16
He was probably questioning his own leadership. He hasn't seen a lot of change in the people.
You hit the end of your rope. You hit a wall.
"And the Lord said to Moses, 'I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.'" Exodus 33:17-18
Sometimes the answer we want is not what we need.
God told Moses He would show Moses His back. He was going to show Moses where He had been.
Look where He's already been in your life. If you look around you will see His presence. God has already shown you. Look where He's taken you already.
21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” Exodus 33:21-23
Sometimes we haev to look at the weaving, at the individual threads. God is everywhere always. Stop and look.
We need to get into the Word and see God's presence.