Warriors Arise: November 24, 2021
Exodus 19:20-22 (NKJV) Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to gaze at the Lord, and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.”
If you have ever been on a trip with me, there are a few things you may remember. I like everyone to have the opportunity to experience the fullness of what the trip has to offer. I do not go anywhere with the intention of just wandering through. I do not have the attitude, "We'll see whatever we see." Nope, I have a plan and generally, a mapped out idea of where we are going so we can see as much as possible without backtracking. We may never pass this way again so make the most of it. My heart is for everyone to experience something they never thought they would see or do.
Another thing you will know about me on trips, if I told you to stay in the van then I expect you to stay in the van. Very much like Moses telling the children of Israel to come to the foot of the mountain and see God but do not touch the mountain. I wonder if it seemed a little bit like being invited to go into an ice cream shop, but you were told to wait at the table. You would not be going up to the counter and ordering yourself. I'm trying to identify with making this part of the Bible realistic. How we would be thinking and wanting to respond?
Exodus 19:23-25 But Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it.’ ” 24 Then the Lord said to him, “Away! Get down and then come up, you and Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest He break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.
Before our first child was born some friends of ours gave us a book on parenting. One of the valuable lessons we learned from the book was to teach our kids to respond immediately to what we were saying. As they got older this does become more challenging, but it worked slick as a whistle when they were young. The idea behind the training was if you needed them to respond quickly, they would.
I will never forget when the kids were all under 10. We got to the van. I opened the back hatch so my three oldest could start unloading groceries, while I opened the door to put the youngest in the car seat. "Stay close to the van and the cart while we buckle the two into their seats." The 10 year old finished and dashed to help the others. She has always been a good helper. I looked back to see the 10 year old start to run from the side of the van to the rear to start helping. In the same instance, I saw a car coming way too fast down the lane. I yelled, "STOP!" The newborns eyes got wide with fright and the other four children stopped without hesitation. Had they not stopped, one of them would not be here with us.
Moses had been given specific instructions for the safety of the people. They could come to the foot of the mountain, but no further. At least, not at this time. Moses thought everyone would follow the word of the Lord and remain behind the boundaries, but God knew the hearts of the people. Once I was over my awe and fear of the Lord coming upon the mountain, I am sure I would want to get a look at Him; but this was not the time.
Exodus 19:24-25 Then the Lord said to him, “Away! Get down and then come up, you and Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest He break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.
God was serious. He brought the people this far. He didn't want them to die because of their disobedience. They had to trust God. They had to follow the instructions Moses had given them. My kids could go shopping with me, they could help unload the cart into the van, but they couldn't see the danger approaching. God said, "Away! Get down and then come up…" God knew the people were about to get themselves in a dangerous situation. He was not discussing it with Moses any longer. The people had to be warned immediately. Moses had to move quickly.
A couple of points, there are times when things are up for discussion but when God speaks with intensity, something that would require an exclamation mark like "Away! Get down…" He is yelling at you to protect you. You may feel God has yelled at you but if you remember the context I am pretty sure He wasn't mad at you. He was trying to protect you. He wanted to get your attention. He knew you needed to act immediately or something really bad would happen.
What is your response time when God gives you an instruction? Had my kids not stopped immediately something horrific would have happened that day in the parking lot. But we had practiced. I didn't yell at them, because I was angry. I yelled and needed an immediate response for their safety, their protection, and their wellbeing.
Father, there are times I have felt you yell at me. I interpreted it as You being angry with me. Because I allowed that thought to consume me, I didn't see the real reason You yelled. I didn't see that You were protecting me. I didn't see that disaster was headed my way. I stopped but I was hurt. It caused me to question Your love toward me. Will You forgive me? I didn't even look to see what might have happened. I judged You for yelling at me. I know I do not respond well. To many times You have to tell me two and three times before I do what You have asked me to do. That is why when it is detrimental that You yelled at me. I pray for my ears to be clear so I can hear Your voice. I pray for a willing heart to respond immediately to Your voice in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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