(Exo 24:17-18) The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. 18 So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
So many people want to be at the top. They want to be on the top in their careers, amongst their peers, and without any fears. America is intoxicated with the “success syndrome”. But we know that without Jesus it can be a “sin-drone”! So what is the top anyway? It’s knowing the Lord and having your name written in the Book of Life. You can’t get any higher than that! But then to keep growing in this wonderful relationship with Jesus. Do you want to go all the way to the top?
Moses was called by God to go up to the top of the mountain. No one else ever made it. The congregation was at the bottom, Aaron and his sons (Nadab and Abihu) were up the mountain a bit. Joshua almost made it to the top. But Moses went all the way! And up there he experienced the fire of God upon his life as he hung out with the Lord for forty days and nights.
How about you? Do you want to go all the way to the top? Oh, I know you’re heaven bound and that will be tops one day. But I’m talking about your climb here on earth. Do you want to settle for the bottom of the mountain like the children of Israel? Or are you negotiating for at least some spiritual success somewhere on the mountain like Aaron and his sons? Have you made it pretty far like Joshua but are getting tired in completing the ascent? Or do you want to be like Moses and go all the way? Do you long to just hang out with the Lord and make knowing Him the greatest pursuit of your life?
Some Christians don’t like the fire aspect but the Bible declares, “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29). It gets hot the higher you go and some just settle for lower elevation. But Moses was ready for the top. He knew the heat was a part of the process. He knew that God was going to burn the chaff and refine the gold of his life (Luke 3:16-17; Mal 3:3). No wonder he would come down glowing as he reflected the presence of God.
Let’s climb that mountain together and by God’s grace I’ll see you at the top!
Louie