A Cloud in the Desert
Imagine. You’ve been wandering in the desert for three months. You fled a life of slavery but freedom has been a confusing journey. Your leader seems a little shaky but this is your only option.
This is the situation the Israelites find themselves in right before they receive the 10 commandments.
They were a distressed people looking for answers. And God responds.
With Mount Sinai as His medium and Moses as His messenger, God responds.
As a preface to the most popular set of rules in the Western world, God tells Moses,
“You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5).
Then He declares,
“Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people (Exodus 19:10).
A reminder, a promise & a command.
Remember what I saved you from, I promise this is where I am taking you, now follow me.
After the people prepare themselves God shows up in Exodus 20 with power and glory and delivers the 10 commandments with flare.
The Christian life is full of Exodus 20 moments. Moments when God descends like a dense cloud and life looks different from that moment on.
But the Christian life is also full of Exodus 19 moments - when life is a confusing wilderness and all you have are distant memories of former deliverance.
God’s faithfulness is the same in both situations. He is there to remind, promise and command next steps.
Remember God’s faithfulness in your wilderness. He is ready to remind you what He has saved you from, promise you more than you can imagine and tell you where to go next. Even if it’s a small step, take it. He will show up again, and again.
Prayer
Lord give me faith that you are with me in the wilderness. Remind me of where I was was, where I am going and what I can do now. Show me your faithfulness good times and bad. Thank you for your faithfulness. You never fail. Amen.
