THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD

Israel had many sacred places -- the tabernacle in the wilderness, the temple in Jerusalem, and various altars men erected to God -- but Horeb was unique. Its name meant "desolation." It was on Mt Horeb that God revealed Himself to Moses and it was to Horeb that Elijah fled when all he knew to do had failed. Horeb was "The Mountain Of God."

As a geographic and historic place, Horeb was weighty with spiritual significance. Yet the reality symbolized by Horeb -- that God chose a desolate place and then drew desolate men there to meet with Him -- is a truth that resonates yet today. Horeb's message is this: the Lord does not turn away from our desolation,,, the stony desolation of our heart where bleakness and barrenness prevail; He comes to redeem it.

At Horeb our lives simplify and focus on those few things which are most important. Saints, you will know you are at Horeb when God cuts you back to the root source of your spiritual life. At Horeb we become people of “One Thing”… Jesus!

You will not necessarily become a better person at Horeb. For Horeb is not about the perfection of Self; it's about the abandonment of Self. It is about the discovery that in us -- in our successes and our failures -- there dwells "no good thing." Here, we stop performing and start conforming to the surrendered life of Christ, as the birth-pains of abiding come forth.

At Horeb the morphine of religion wears off, and we can once again feel our pain. Reality manifests. We see ourselves in the Light of God, and as we do, we fall upon Christ the cornerstone (Luke 20:18). Though "broken to pieces," we are finally fit to be used by God.

For those who are even now at Horeb, open your heart and soul fully to your loving Daddy. He knows. He sees. He feels your bewilderment, pain, and regret, and loves you just as you are. Whatever He says, do it. When you leave Horeb your pathway to Calvary will be well worn, and your submission to the Lordship of Christ a way of life.  

Recall the infusion of life that Moses and Elijah, the men of Horeb, each experienced beyond their season of desolation. Both experienced a type of the resurrection that is to come (Jude; 1 King 20). And in a mystery beyond our comprehension, it was these two Horebites who appeared in splendorous glory and spoke with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-3).

Horeb, once the place of desolation, is redeemed and revealed as a gateway to God. It is here, in brokenness and fearless honesty that God, the Master Potter, does His best work.

Horeb is the mountain of God. And once here, we are just steps away from the shelter of the Most High. “Who may ascend into the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” (Psalms 24:3-4)

My Father, I bow before You. I confess my abject need of You. My guard is down, my actor is dead, and with him I fear my dreams are also gone. Yet you give dreams even to old men. You are the Resurrection. I cast myself upon You, O great God of my salvation. Draw me into Your holy shelter, and renew me. In Jesus Most Precious Name, Amen… So Be It!

WHO MAY ASCEND INTO THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD?

HE WHO HAS CLEAN HANDS AND A PURE HEART

(Adapted and modified from a chapter in Francis Frangipane’s bestselling book, The Shelter of the Most High)