On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a loud trumpet sound, so that all the people in the camp shuddered. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder. Exodus 19:16-19
All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. “You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.” Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear Him and will not sin.” And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:18-21
My words…
Praise
Four hundred and thirty years is a long time. Generations of Your people living as slaves in Egypt – being born a slave and dying a slave. You watched as they suffered, toiling under heartless slave masters, yet they continued to cry out to You for deliverance. And then, one day, enough was enough. You acted. If nine extremely bothersome plagues, a night of terror and death, and a dry-footed hike through the Red Sea weren’t enough to convict the Israelites of Your power, then the display You had in mind at the foot of Mount Sinai was sure to dispel any question of Your divine majesty. You could have chosen any number of ways to introduce Yourself to Your chosen people: a light shower of angel dust (Is there such a thing? I hope so.) coating everyone in a shimmering symbol of love and gentleness, or thousands of white, gleaming doves, swooping overhead in a splendid choreographed show of peace and friendship. Instead, You chose a terrifying lightning and thunder exhibit. Personally, I love thunder – the louder, the better. But the Israelites didn’t seem so thrilled. Maybe it was the really loud celestial trumpet or the smoke-filled air left over by the God-filled fire. Either way, they insisted on Moses as the intermediary. They were scared stiff. But this illustration of your supremacy happened for a reason (of course). You did it to test Your people. When I think of tests, I think of school. In this case, You’re the teacher and Sinai was the classroom. You give a test, and Your students must respond. There was only one question on this test: Now that you have seen an example of My might and majesty, will you follow and obey Me? It’s a yes-or-no question. When Your strong arm is in full view, who wouldn’t quake and consent to be devoted to You every waking second? But as time passes, the lightning ceases, the thunder is silent, and the smoke clears. Then what? For some, their Sinai conviction is replaced or forgotten. For others, the smoke remains in their nostrils for life as a reminder of who You are and what You can do. I am far removed from Mt. Sinai, but I experience Sinai nonetheless. You gave Jesus for me. You placed Your Spirit in my very own heart. After that – who needs lightening, thunder, smoke or fire? Not me!
Prayer for me
Keep the smell of Your smoke in my nostrils, Lord. Help me see Your glory on display in this world – to recognize it, to stop and praise You in that moment. Continue to test me so I may grow.
Forgive me
Forgive me, oh God, when I lose sight of Your presence in this world. The evil is so prevalent, Your presence becomes blurred. Pardon my hopelessness when I allow the good to be overshadowed by the evil.
Prayer for others
Father, there are throngs of Your followers who have lost the smell of Your smoke in their nostrils. They haven’t seen You working, or at least they haven’t recognized it when You were. At one time, they basked in Your glory, experiencing their own personal Sinai experience, but something happened (or nothing happened). They no longer answer Your test question with a Yes. Increase their faith. Fill their lungs with Your divine smoke again.
Thanksgiving
Thank You for placing good people in my path. I see You in their actions and in their words. They take in unwanted children just as You would. They feed those with little or no food. They teach Your message to anyone who will listen. Their nostrils are filled with Your smoke, and I smell it just being near them. Thank you!
More praise
Praise to the God who directs lightning and commands thunder. Your power can melt the hearts of men, bringing us to our knees. Yet You love us. And Your love is more powerful than thunder and lightning – it is the truest and mightiest show of Your power in the heavens and on earth. Hallelujah!
