The Mountain-Shaking, Merciful God

You may have gone hiking in the mountains. But have you ever stood before a mountain that was trembling, on fire, smoking and sounding like a deafening trumpet? Thoughts of imminent death would flood through your mind. Keep Reading…

READ
Exodus 19:20-21 - The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish.

REFLECT
Imagine standing in front of Mount Sinai as it trembled violently. Fire descended from heaven, and smoke rose up. In the midst of the deafening roar, Moses talked to God. Amazingly, God heard and responded with thunder. The mountain-shaking God talked personally with a man. And God wanted all of Israel to know that he is the God who speaks individually to people. Exodus 19:9

The God of the Old Testament may scare you. His sheer power on display should bring a healthy fear into your soul. But, it is important to realize that God does not change between Testaments. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 This same mountain-shaking God silenced the wind and waves with a word in the New Testament. Mark 4:39

But, do you understand the amazing display of God's mercy in the Mount Sinai scene? As soon as Moses climbed the mountain to meet with God, he was told to go back down. Why? God wanted to make sure that the people would not try to touch the mountain or break through to look at him and end up dying as a result. God did not want anyone to die. Even though Moses had already given the Israelites these instructions, God wanted them to hear it again. He was so concerned for their safety.

There is a reason that a parent does not let his child play in the middle of the road. And there is a reason that God puts strong boundaries around you. He wants you to live and thrive. How does God use his awesome power? He uses it to show mercy to you.

RESPOND
Do you recognize how God has shown mercy to you? His mercy is often shown in the limits or boundaries that he has placed around you. Take some time to ponder specific situations of God's mercy in your life. Now thank him for his character that shows both power and mercy.