At the Foot of Mt. Sinai

If you drive by our house around 5:30 every morning, you’ll see a couple of lights on. I’ll be at the desk in the front bedroom, in my pajamas, and with my Bible open.

This is Mt. Sinai time. I consecrate myself to the Lord, acknowledging my lowliness before the God over all - powerful, holy, sovereign. I pray in the silence for His Holy Spirit to speak to me. Then I pick up my pen, begin reading Scripture, and scribble notes as the words on the pages come to life. While much of the world sleeps, a sacred communion takes place between Almighty God and ordinary me.

Like breadcrumbs on a trail, my hungry soul follows where He leads – each step taking me deeper in my understanding of His character and my appreciation for His abundance and goodness. He speaks wisdom, promise, and faithfulness.

In the stories, He flexes His strength to rescue the helpless. He marches in righteousness and justice against evil and rebellion. He goes to battle and emerges victorious over His enemies and those who dare to come against His beloved children.

The pages drip with grace, mercy, and truth.

“The God Who Sees Me” knows the misery of an abused servant girl and gives her promise of a family. He appears to an elderly man in a burning bush with an epic rescue plan that will free His people from slavery. He hears the cries of a woman weeping in the temple over her barrenness and fills her womb with a son who will become the spiritual leader of Israel. He searches out a shepherd boy and makes him a king. He hears the cries of all humanity and sends a Savior Who will defeat sin and death for all of eternity. And in the end, He wipes every tear from every eye.

In Exodus 19:3-6, the Lord calls to Moses from Mt. Sinai with a message to relay to the Israelites. Moses is to remind the people of what God has done for them – His great deliverance out of Egypt – how He’s “carried (them) on eagles’ wings and brought (them) to (Himself).” Then God promises to make them His treasured possession as they walk forward in covenantal obedience. He says to them, “You will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” They are to be a unique people set on representing God’s ways and bringing His offer of salvation to all of mankind.

At 5:30 a.m., I’ll remove my slippers and step onto holy ground. I’ll heed the Lord’s call to come up the mountain to worship and learn, listen and prepare. I’ll be reminded of being carried on eagles’ wings and rescued from slavery to lesser things. I’ll be drawn near to my God and reminded of my purpose and calling as His chosen ambassador.

There’s no other place I’d rather be at 5:30 in the morning than at the foot of the mountain of God. And there’s room for you, too. Will you join me?