out of the ordinary | the landscape

God frequently works through the ordinary. Through them he shares something of his love for us and reveals elements of his redemption plan. In this devotional series we look at some of the ordinary things Jesus would have encountered as he journeyed towards the cross. Today, we consider a mountain. Holy Spirit, will you reveal something extraordinary. Amen.

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 the whole mountain trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and the voice of God answered him. The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So, Moses went up and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish.” Exodus 19;16-21, NIV

It is really important we understand that we are in a relationship with the God of the mountain. The God of thunder and lightning, and the thick cloud, the trumpet blast, the smoke and fire. The God who makes the earth tremble. Because if we don’t understand that, we reduce God. We turn him into someone who has less power, less authority than he really has; who is less mighty, less able than he really is.

Sometimes we need to stand at the foot of the mountain and witness the extraordinary nature of God to remember he is Elohim - God, Yahweh - I AM, El Elyon - God Most High, El Shaddai – God Almighty, Jehovah Nissi - the banner over us securing our protection and deliverance. We also need to be reminded he is incomprehensibly holy and there is a standard. We must line up our way of living to his way of loving as a witness to the rest of the world.

We don’t need a pocket-sized God, someone who is made in our image. Thank God, he was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Jesus so we could see who he really is.

Let's pray
Lord, remind me today of who it is I am in relationship with. Reveal something of yourself to me. Thank you, Jesus, for the access I have to my heavenly Father because of your sacrifice. I worship you in spirit and in truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.