June 17, 2026
MAKING THE CLIMB
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence! Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there, and I will give you the tablets of stone on which I have inscribed the instructions and commands so you can teach the people.” So Moses and his assistant Joshua set out, and Moses climbed up the mountain of God. Moses told the elders, “Stay here and wait for us until we come back. Aaron and Hur are here with you. If anyone has a dispute while I am gone, consult with them.” Then Moses climbed up the mountain, and the cloud covered it.”
Exodus 24:9-15 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Moses is called by God into a deep, prolonged, face-to-face meeting on Mount Sinai. While the general population shrinks back to the base of the mountain in fear, satisfied with a secondhand account of glory, a small group answers the invitation to ascend.
What they witness is breathtaking: a glimpse of the God of Israel standing on a glowing pavement of deep blue lapis lazuli.
As we watch this unique leadership team climb into the heavens to share a holy meal, three distinct principles emerge regarding true spiritual maturity:
1. The Multi-Tiered Journey of Leadership
Notice that Moses does not make this trek entirely alone. He intentionally brings people with him as far as they can go. First, Aaron, his two sons, and the seventy elders travel partway up the mountain to participate in a covenant meal. Then, Moses commands the group to wait, taking his assistant Joshua even higher. Ultimately, it is Moses alone who enters the thickest part of the cloud at the very summit.
This provides a vital blueprint for discipleship and leadership. True spiritual leaders do not sprint ahead into deeper relationship with God while abandoning those they are called to serve. We must strive to take people with us, pulling them up into the presence of God as far as their current spiritual capacity allows, all while holding space for others to grow behind us.
2. Devotion is a Crock Pot, not a Microwave
This encounter was not a brief, drive-thru experience. The leadership team climbs up and spends time celebrating a covenant meal. Then Moses and Joshua leave the group behind to climb higher. Once they arrive, Moses sits on the mountain for six full days while the cloud covers it. On the seventh day, God finally speaks. Moses then enters the heart of the cloud and stays there for a total of forty days.
We live in an aggressive, microwave culture. We want instant answers to our prayers, immediate breakthroughs, and fast spiritual growth. The idea of waiting six days just for God to speak or sitting on a mountain for forty days to receive instruction, rubs our impatient nature entirely the wrong way. But true maturity cannot be rushed. In my years of walking with the Lord, I have learned that spiritual growth behaves much more like a crock pot than a microwave—it requires time, heat, and patient simmering in His presence.
3. The Physical Weight of Spiritual Work
It is easy to romanticize Moses' encounter, but we cannot forget the raw physics of the moment: Moses had to literally hike up a steep, rocky mountain. Reaching the presence of God demanded real, intense physical, mental, and emotional exertion. It required him to push past his physical comfort zone and sweat for the revelation.
There is always a price to pay if you want to experience deeper intimacy with God. It requires hard work on our part. It means deliberately setting your alarm earlier to carve out prayer time, shutting off the distractions of television or social media to study the Word, and practicing the exhausting discipline of silencing a busy mind so you can listen.
Personal Application
If you find yourself stuck in a spiritual plateau, it might be time to evaluate the level of effort you are investing in your walk. God does not hide Himself from us, but He does reward those who diligently seek Him.
Do not settle for a lazy, convenient faith that stays at the bottom of the mountain where it is easy. Be willing to put in the mental and spiritual work required to climb higher. Pack your patience, find some trusted companions to bring along on the journey, and prepare to wait for the Lord until He speaks.
Questions for Reflection
Discipleship Check: Am I actively pulling anyone else along with me on my spiritual journey—a child, a spouse, a friend, or a coworker—or am I climbing alone?
Waiting Room: When God seems silent, do I quickly give up and walk away, or do I have the maturity to sit quietly and wait for His timing?
Work Ethic: What is one specific comfort or convenience I need to sacrifice this week to put real, focused effort into seeking God’s presence?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please help me to shake off spiritual laziness. Give me the mental and physical stamina to put in the daily work required to climb closer to You. Show me who I can encourage and pull along with me on this journey. Teach me the discipline of holy patience, so that I can quiet my heart and wait for Your perfect timing. Amen.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
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