Climb the Mountain
“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” (Exodus 19:5-6, King James)
When God called Moses to lead the Nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, He told him that they would ALL come back to Mount Sinai and worship Him on the mountain (Exodus 3:12). God had intended for them to be a nation of priests—each one having access to the Holy One. Instead, they became a nation with priests—they let “professionals” administrate their walk with God.
Today, people often make the same poor trade. Instead of a fiery, living relationship with God they settle for three hymns and a Sunday sermon.
Scared of God?
If you read Exodus chapter 19 and Deuteronomy 4:9-11 with 5:5, you’ll see that God asked the people to consecrate themselves for three days and then on the third day come up into His presence. When the people saw all the billowing smoke and flashes of lightening as the glory of God descended on the mountaintop, they shrank back in fear. Rather than embrace an opportunity to meet with the awesome God of the universe, they clung to familiar ground and let Moses ascend into the Presence alone.
Trade religion for relationship
Sadly, they accepted a list of rules (the Law) instead of an intimate relationship with God almighty. What God intended to be a warm, loving relationship, as He had with Moses, instead became a never-ending ritual and tradition. Rather than intense, face-to-face dialogue with their Savior, some folks hope they can earn heaven by being a good Christian. We overlook that performance comes second to a personal connection with the Mighty God.
Where are you today? Climb the mountain. Leave behind the dead coldness of religion, and enter a vibrant new life with your Lord Jesus Christ.
Study more on how personal your walk with God can be with the six-day interactive journal on living by grace instead of by law.