Facing God

Exodus 19:16-17

On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

I think there are a lot of people who have a reverential fear of God. Then there are those who are afraid of God and those who show no respect for God. Those who show no respect for God should be afraid. Very afraid. But those who are afraid of God simply don’t know him well enough to accept that he wants a relationship with us.

When Moses led his people to the mountain where God wanted to meet with them, they were so afraid they trembled. Rightly so. If they were disrespectful enough to be clowning around at the mountain, they might go too far and die.

God said to set the mountain apart as holy. The people had to take God seriously to appreciate the kind of event that was about to take place. When God gave Moses the ten commandments, the people saw smoke and lightning. They heard a trumpet and loud thunder. It was a scene none of them had ever experienced. Of course they stayed away from the mountain. I would’ve been apprehensive too.

Moses had a relationship with God. They had conversations. So obviously, Moses had an appropriate and reverential fear of God. If you read through chapter nineteen of Exodus, you can imagine yourself in place of Moses and listen to God’s words as if you were there, kneeling in the dust. I love seeing myself in that place, listening to God telling me that he carried me on eagles’ wings and brought me to himself. I hear him say that I am a treasure. Can you hear it?

Today, you can face God and accept his invitation to begin a relationship or grow in your relationship with him. When others are shaking in their boots, you and I can climb the mountain of fear and face God. You and I can get closer to him.

What happens when you meet with God? Do you tremble or do you listen?