Come Up in the Morning
Our greatest misconception is that God is uninterested in us. From the beginning, our ancient Enemy has deceived us into thinking that God is holding out on us and has no interest in our fellowship.But the testimony of Scripture (and of men and women who have known Him) shatters this lie like a hammer shattering rock.
The Divine Invitation
“So be ready by morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to Me on the top of the mountain” (Exodus 34:2 NASB).
Moses was invited by God, as a representative of the people, into the Essential Presence. He was to take no one with him, for such fellowship is solitary.Some people only know God in a group. But the highest form of relationship is the grace to encounter Him alone. It was to be, for Moses and for us, the first business of the day: to meet God in the morning.When Moses cooperated, “The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the LORD” (v. 5).There on that sacred spot, God revealed Himself as “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin” (vv. 6-7).So that Moses would have a full understanding, God also reminded him that He was a God who would deal with unrepentant sin. This placed the appropriate fear in His leader’s heart.Every word of this description is inviting and necessary. “Meet me in the morning,” God said, “and I will show you who I am.”
The Natural Response
Moses did what many before had done and millions in succeeding generations would imitate. He “made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship” (v. 8).When we stand in God’s holiness, we realize there is no one like Him. We understand our difference, and we realize that He alone deserves unashamed worship.When you experience God’s presence, you only want more of Him. So Moses’ prayer was simply for God’s continued presence (v. 9).He could have asked for provision or direction or protection as he led several million grumbling Israelites to the Promised Land. But Moses met God that morning, and he knew that having God in their midst was the ultimate sufficiency.
The Present Call
Men and women throughout the ages have heard God’s invitation. Many have failed to respond. They have not made themselves ready. They have not come up in the morning to the mountain. They have missed Him, morning after morning after morning.They live lives of desperation and unfulfilled hunger, never having the one thing that would equip them with everything.They have missed revival. They have missed God in the morning, and it is their greatest loss.