WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2017
MOUNTAIN-TOP EXPERIENCE
-EXODUS 24:12-18
KEY VERSE:
"And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights" (Exodus 24:18).
Mountains stand as one of the most monumental displays of God’s power and glory on earth. Their sheer size and distant summits fill men with awe. They occupy a remarkable place in Bible narratives, perhaps because Palestine, the setting for the stories, is full of them. Many significant Bible events took place on the mountain. For instance, Mount Ararat provided the landing for Noah’s ark after the deluge; it was at Mount Carmel that Elijah staged a match between the true God and Baal; Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount Olives. Moses, acting as mediator between God and the people, had been to the mount and brought them God’s word to which they pledged allegiance. The covenant of obedience they entered into with God was ratified with blood sacrifice. God requested that Moses bring up the priests and seventy of the elders to whom He showed His glory. Moses and Joshua went further until God called only Moses into the cloud of glory on the mountain where he stayed for forty days and nights. Today, perhaps because of the foregoing experiences, many religious people, including some Christians, have resorted to literal mountains in the belief that God’s presence resides there. But the Lord is not just "God of the hills". The hour has come when "ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father... the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him" (John 4:21,23). The mountain top experience is about having an intimate encounter with God and being overwhelmed with His presence, glory and power. Such were the cases of Moses and three of Christ’s disciples. When we come away from earthly workaday activities, patiently and sincerely seek God’s face, He will bless us with that transforming and refreshing experience – not necessarily on the mountain.
Thought for the day: The most glorious spot in the world is God’s presence.
Bible Reading in one Year: EZRA 7-10
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