Exodus chapter 19 verses 14-19 (NIV)
After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”
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. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and he whole mountain trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
At the beginning of chapter 19 in Exodus, we read how God told Moses that He would make a covenant with Israel and that they would be His people and He would be their God – a special relationship. Yet the people were to prepare and consecrate themselves before they could stand in awe at the mountain of the Lord. And so they did, but even as the day arrived what a holy awesome sense of God.
Having recently been reminded of the need for us, even as blood bought children to prepare ourselves before we come to the house of God, I wonder if we have lost the sense of awe and wonder of God as we come every week to gather to hear God’s word and worship? It’s certainly given me food for thought.
Dear Lord,
Help me to remember that although You are my Heavenly Father, You are also a Holy and awesome God. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for restoring my relationship with the Father. Amen.