Darkness swirls around them. Lightning splits open the sky as thunder shakes the ground. A trumpet blasts through the raging tempest. Fire descends on the mountain, and the smoke cascades down the slopes in an avalanche of heat. The mountain shudders in awe.
The people tremble with terror.
They know what fear feels like. They’ve felt its cold grip on their hearts before. This time, it’s different, though. This time, their trembling isn’t due to an uncrossable sea or a taunting enemy. They aren’t hungry, thirsty, or lost. There isn’t an army marching down to fight them. Sickness isn’t crouching at their doorstep.
They’re shaking in trepidation because God has come down.
It’s a story tucked away in the nineteenth chapter of Exodus. A story often overlooked, because, after all, it’s more fun to read about miraculous sea crossings and impossible giant slayings than it is to stumble through lists of laws, right?
But it’s a story of profound importance.
It’s a story of a God who came down with an invitation for intimacy and a people who politely turned down His offer.
God spoke to Moses, “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’” (Exodus 19:3-6)
“Do you remember everything I’ve done for you? God asks. I brought you out to bring you in. Out of bondage and into freedom. Out of darkness and into light. Out of despair and into rest. I brought you out to make you mine.”
The story continues.
And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. (Exodus 19:10-11)
Tucked there in the long list of laws we see God’s deep desire to dwell. God doesn’t settle for almost-there or close-enough. He invades their lives and moves right in. The God who dwells invites His people to dwell with Him.
Surely they jumped with joy. Surely they dropped everything and danced with delight. The God who melted Egypt’s might and plundered Amalek's pride called them His. Wouldn't they willingly accept His invitation?
Let’s see how the story ends.
When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”
Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. (Exodus 20:18-21)
God came down to draw them near. But they drew back and in dread and fear.
It’s no coincidence that this story lies nestled within God’s laws. Drawing close means drawing lines. God's presence meant radical obedience and irrevocable surrender. God dwelling in their midst would turn their lives around. Instead of drawing near, they chose to turn Him down.
Another holy night. Another invitation. Once again, God drew near. This time, no lightning spit the sky with His descent. No smoke rose from the stage as He appeared. No mountains trembled with His arrival. A baby---born in a manger---here to turn hearts of stone to flesh.
What will you do with God’s invitation? He’s come down to draw us near. But would we rather keep our distance? Would we rather let the pastors and influencers speak to Him while we stand back and watch?
Are we too busy scrolling to savor His presence and too distracted to accept His invitation?
Make no mistake … God has come to dwell. But, what what about us? Will we accept His offer to dwell with Him? Where have we settled down and moved in? Maybe we've settled down with apathy, laziness, or greed. Perhaps we've moved in with resentment, fear, or anger.
Maybe we're too consumed with comfort to even care.
The God who came to dwell invites us to dwell with Him. How often do we decline His invitation? How often are we too caught up in consumerism and convenience to hear His call? Are we so caught up in our schedules, our shopping, our security---or even our serving---that we miss the wonder of a holy God who wore our sin to make us His?
The God who makes mountains tremble is the same God who makes broken hearts whole. He's here to invade our hearts and turn our lives around. We can either draw near or choose to turn Him down.
The question is … where are you dwelling this Christmas season? Do you want to draw near to God, or would you rather keep your distance?
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