Moses Spoke

Daily Reading: Exodus 19

Scripture Focus: As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke. (Exodus 19.19a)

Devotional Thought: Lana and I have always looked at the ministry as a partnership. She actually works harder and is more effective than I'll ever be! She almost always knows what I've been up to, and when I get home from a long day, she greets me at the door ready to talk. Usually I don't have too many words left, but I'm thankful that she's interested in what I have to say! So I talk.

When God called Moses and the Israelites to the mountain to give them his Law, "the sound of the trumpet [God's voice] grew louder and louder." That is to be expected. What is unexpected, at least for me, is the next two words: "Moses spoke." In the midst of all the awesome displays of God's presence, Moses had the audacity to speak!

What Moses did must have pleased God, for the scripture says...

• God answered him... God was not offended by Moses' impertinence. He wanted him to talk! God desires to have a conversation with all of us!

• The Lord came down... God was so excited that he closed the distance between them. A shout across the valley wouldn't do! He wanted to be close to Moses. When we pray, God comes down to be with us. Hallelujah!

• The Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain... God invited Moses to grow in his experience with him. He didn't leave Moses at the foot of the mountain, but said, come on up here where you belong! Our place is not in the valley of defeat and doubt, but on the mountaintop of glory!

What did Moses do? He went up. What will you do?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the sound of the trumpet that calls me to prayer. Help me to speak to you from my heart. Answer me. Come down to me. Call me higher up the mountain. I will follow you. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth; 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! 3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. 4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name." Selah 5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. 6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him, 7 who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations-- let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah (Psalms 66:1-7)