Sometimes the highway of life leads us into mountain ranges. From a distance, those mountains inspire awe; they promise breathtaking views — and they lull us with ‘what will be.’ But before you arrive at the peak, the way is hard. The twists and turns demand your focus. The climb exhausts you, the slips rip you up a bit. And at points, your breath is taken away — not by the view but by fear.
Mountains are part of God’s glorious creation — in the natural and the spiritual realm. But what do we do when the mountain feels like it’s crushing us. How do we hold onto the views that inspired us when all we see is heartache and pain?
For me, I ask God to show me. If His Word says it, and I can’t feel it, my only option is to go to the author and ask how the ancient truths apply to this moment of time. He is faithful to the revelations He has placed in the Holy Scriptures – and He is faithful to answer those who truly seek to hear Him.
Real truth has to be true all the time: in the now of earth time — and in eternity.
Recently, surrounded by mountains that obscured a clear way forward, I sought some leadership help from Moses. Let me set the stage. Prior to the passage I landed upon, Moses had experienced God in wild and wonderful ways. There had been:
- his humbling, premature attempt to save God’s people,
- a few decades in the desert,
- a burning bush,
- a clarion call from God to rescue the people now,
- pharaoh’s increased harshness toward the ones Moses tried to help,
- God’s dramatic exodus plan,
- the 10 commandments,
- the golden calf … and much more
Moses has already seen tremendous highs and lows in his journey with God — and that’s skipping over the amazing story of his birth and rescue. But that’s for another day — another mountain story perhaps.
In the passage I came to, Moses is telling God, “No WAY.” He was responding to God saying, ‘I’ll send an angel with you, but I’m separating myself so I don’t destroy this stiff-necked group.’ Moses wasn’t having any of that. He quickly reminded God ‘these are your people.’ You said you know me, and I have favor with you. I’m not going forward without you.
Here Moses shows us the driving passion we need in this journey to heaven. Too often, we are not only tempted to accept that deal – go ahead without me – we’re eager to do so.
The truth is we want the goodies without the God. But not Moses. He had already shown his commitment to step away from the crowd to seek God. You see, after the 10 Commandments, Mount Sinai experience, the majority of God’s people had said, ‘You talk to God, we don’t want to – He’s too scary.’
So, Moses met with God outside the camp – face-to-face – after that. Moses knew he needed God to live a fulfilled life and help others to do the same. Moses knew his mission of leading the Israelites was more than work to do, it was fulfilling the desire of God. And more than anything else Moses wanted to know the very essence of the God who called and empowered him to do what was asked. As believers we only fully live when we feel that desperate longing for God.
Once God agrees to be Israel’s constant companion and not just turn them over to an angel, Moses presents a new request. He says, ‘show me your glory.’ Not show us, show ME.
Which brings us back to where we started: MOUNTAINS in our lives. You see, Moses knew that leading the Israelites was a mountainous task. He knew he needed a clear view of God Himself. That’s what we need in the mountains of life.
Moses wanted more than miracles and demonstrations of power. He had seen those. He’s begging to know what’s behind the miracles — to understand the heart of God. That kind of desire is a gift from God given only to those who truly delight in Him (Psalm 37:4). Moses already knew that it’s not miracles that change lives — it’s knowing God. And a heart seeking God always finds Him!
When we get in those treacherous, difficult places of life, we need to follow Moses example. And we need to understand God’s response to Moses’ request.
The LORD replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. Exodus 33:19
God said, “My GOODNESS will pass by you.” Pause for a moment – can you see yourself on your personal mountain and know your Good, all-powerful God is with you. He knows your name – He really cares about you.
Now, listen to God’s description of how you will recognize His goodness:
‘Watch where I choose to pour out my mercy and compassion.’
To see God’s glory you must look for His goodness — without trying to determine who deserves it or where it should go! Don’t settle for your own definition of goodness or try to box God in to your ideas of how He should act and what He should do on your mountain. Simply EXPECT His mercy and compassion as you nestle close to His side.
But there’s a final important thing to notice. God’s GLORY must be viewed from a safe, prepared place. We human beings are new eternal creations–in old flesh. We are still ‘bent toward sin’ and God’s holiness will destroy anything that is sinful. God told Moses,
Look, stand near me on this rock.
That rock, of course is Jesus Christ. Our Savior who said, “It is finished.” Standing on the rock by God’s side, the LORD’s goodness cushions the hard places. The mountains we’re climbing have already been scaled. The climb is complete, we are called to watch and wait on the promises of God which are “yes and amen” in Christ.
In those hard places, steep climbs, we are not to run ahead, looking back to see God’s face. We are to tuck in by God’s side and let Him shield us with His hand. Safe on the rock, we can gaze out at the mercy and compassion flowing from the all-powerful, holy God.
Sometimes we will call to others with joy, saying, “LOOK! Isn’t He amazing?” Other times, we’ll weep with others saying, “He has to be here. Let’s look together.”
It is God alone who can sustain us on this journey, who can empower us to climb the mountains, and enjoy the breathtaking view of His goodness. It’s easy to see the darkness, the shadows, and the deadly pitfalls. We are limited beings and there are limits to what we can see and know here on this earth. What we must remember is that God is good – God is here. Christ has done the hard work – we need to be still and gaze on God’s mercy and compassion – and enjoy the stunning views.
