There are moments with God so rich we wish we could stay in them forever. Moses had just such a moment on Sinai. But God’s first concern was for the people below. It always is.
“So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.” 23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’” 24 The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.” (Exodus 19 v 21-25)
It would be understandable if Moses had wanted to linger in God’s glory rather than return to the complaining multitude. But God sends him back to the crowds. He has to warn the people, especially the priests, who were already set apart to approach God; they must consecrate themselves.
Sometimes God calls us down from the mountaintop experience because people are waiting to hear what we have seen and to experience what we have experienced.
The mountain is where Moses hears from God, but the people are where Moses has to obey God.
It is easy to enjoy God’s presence while avoiding the responsibility that comes with it. But true encounters with God are never simply for our own benefit. He calls us upward, but often sends us downward again.
Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is come down from the mountain and faithfully do what God has asked.
Every mountaintop moment is a commissioning, not a destination.
Missions Paul 