How can we prepare ourselves to encounter God as the Israelites did? A Mountain Moment “On the third day at daybreak there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, and all the people in the camp trembled.” (Exodus 19:16) Awaken Awe—Recognize His Holiness • God announced His presence with thunder, lightning, cloud, and trumpet. • Hebrews 12:28–29 links Sinai to our own worship: “let us offer to God acceptable worship… for our God is a consuming fire.” • Approach with the same trembling reverence; casual worship dulls holy expectancy. Wash and Consecrate—Pursue Personal Purity • Before Sinai, Israel washed garments (Exodus 19:10). • Psalm 24:3-4: “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” • Practical steps: – Confess known sin (1 John 1:9). – Forsake hidden habits (James 4:8). – Guard media, speech, and thoughts (Philippians 4:8). • Purity is not optional preparation; it is the dress code for divine encounter. Set Boundaries—Honor God’s Limits • God placed a fence around Sinai (Exodus 19:12–13). • Obedience creates safety for intimacy. Ignoring divine boundaries invites judgment, not blessing. • Today this includes honoring marriage, Sabbath rhythms, financial integrity, and doctrinal truth (John 14:15). Live Expectant—Listen for the Trumpet • Israel heard “a very loud trumpet blast.” • 1 Thessalonians 4:16 points to another trumpet when the Lord returns. • Cultivate expectancy: – Start each day asking, “Speak, Lord” (1 Samuel 3:10). – Keep Scripture open; He often shouts through verses we’re reading. – Note promptings quickly; obedience fuels clearer hearing. Gather Together—Corporate Preparation • “Everyone in the camp trembled” (Exodus 19:16). Encounter was communal. • Hebrews 10:25 urges us not to neglect meeting together. • Shared worship, united repentance, and collective longing amplify individual readiness (Acts 4:31). Consecrate Time—Three-Day Anticipation • God gave Israel two full days to prepare; encounter came on the third. • Deliberate margin allows hearts to settle. • Schedule mini-retreats, fast a meal, silence the phone—space signals seriousness. Remain Consecrated—Ongoing Readiness • Joshua 3:5: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” • Holiness is not a weekend hobby; it’s a lifestyle. • Daily habits: – Morning surrender (Romans 12:1). – Continual gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:18). – Instant obedience to the Spirit’s nudges (Galatians 5:25). Stand, Then Bow—Encounter Leads to Worship • Ezekiel fell facedown (Ezekiel 1:28); John did the same (Revelation 1:17). • Genuine encounter ends in adoration, not spectacle. • Measure readiness by the ease with which you transition from activity to worshipful awe. Expect His Voice—God Still Descends • He descended on Sinai; He indwells believers now (1 Corinthians 6:19). • Every time Scripture is opened, prayers rise, and saints gather, heaven touches earth. • Prepare as rigorously as Israel did, and anticipate no less reality. |
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