Read Exodus 19:10-13 – Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain.” (NKJV)
As the people prepare to meet with God, Moses is given the command for the people to consecrate themselves. What does that mean? While the specific steps they were to take might be the subject for some debate, the point is that they were to prepare themselves for their meeting with God. They weren’t simply to show up at the foot of God’s mountain in their present condition. How do we prepare to meet with God? Do we rush in, pleading for our latest need or do we prepare our hearts, knowing that God’s greatest interest is the relationship we share with Him? While the Bible tells us we can come boldly to God’s throne, should we interpret that to mean that we can come carelessly? Surely not. It would be even more tragic for us to seek to meet with God having given no thought to the sinfulness we are carrying. God is deserving of more than our best. As we think to worship Him, we should prepare our own hearts, allowing Him to cleanse us, so that our relationship with Him will be unhindered as we stand before Him. The more we know of Him, the more we will desire to consecrate ourselves so that we can engage the fullness of His presence and the depth of relationship He offers.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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