Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Exodus 19:16-21:21, Matthew 23:13-39, Psalm 28:1-9, Proverbs 7:1-5

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Will You Climb?

In Exodus 19, God revealed Himself on Mount Sinai in power and glory. Thunder sounded. Fire fell. The mountain trembled. God showed His people that He was real, holy, and present. And then, He invited them to draw near.

But most of the people stayed back.

They believed in God.
They followed Him.
They respected Him.

Yet they wouldn’t come close.

They had seen His power, but they did not yet know His heart. And closeness felt dangerous instead of comforting. So they chose distance.

Some were willing to go partway. Aaron and the elders went up the mountain and saw God. They experienced His presence. But only Moses was willing to go all the way—into the cloud, into deep communion, into true intimacy.

Going higher required surrender. It meant leaving comfort behind. It meant trusting God enough to come close. Moses wanted God more than he wanted safety, so he climbed.

Then in Exodus 20, God gave the Ten Commandments. These were not meant to be cold rules. They were instructions for relationship.

The first four teach us how to love God.
The fifth teaches us to honor God’s divine order through family.
The last six teach us how to love others.

Jesus later confirmed this when He said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37–40).

God was showing His people how to live close to Him and close to one another.

In Exodus 21, God showed them how this faith was meant to affect daily life. Worship was not just for the mountain. It was meant for homes, work, and relationships. God wanted to walk with them everywhere.

All of this pointed to Jesus.

At Sinai, only a few could go partway, and only one went all the way.
At the cross, Jesus made a way for everyone.

Through Him, the veil was torn. Access was given. We no longer have to stay at a distance. Every believer is invited into intimacy with God.

But in Matthew 23, we see Jesus warning those who were content to stay at the base of the mountain—yet felt qualified to critique those who were willing to climb. The Pharisees knew Scripture. They taught God’s law. But they did not seek God’s heart. They focused on rules instead of intimacy.

They stood at the base of the mountain while pretending to lead others upward.

And Jesus said that was hypocrisy.

God does not want us to know about Him.
He wants us to know Him.

Many believers love God, but stay distant.
Some go partway.
Few go all the way.

Because climbing still costs something.

It costs time.
It costs surrender.
It costs letting go of distractions.
It costs choosing God first.

Yet those who climb…

Find Him.

God is still inviting His people upward.

Not into religion.
Into relationship.

Not into performance.
Into presence.

Not into rules.
Into love.

Will you climb? 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Ask yourself today: Am I walking closely with God, or keeping Him at a distance? Spend 5 quiet minutes seeking His presence. Turn off distractions, open your heart, and invite Him to meet you. Ask Him:

• “What do You want me to know about this today, Lord?”
  • Journal what He whispers by His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He whispers – then do it!

Take your first step closer to Him today as He calls you up the mountain to Him.

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Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for inviting me into relationship with You. Forgive me for the times I choose comfort over closeness. Teach me to seek You daily and love You fully. I don’t want religion—I want You. Help me to climb closer to Your heart. In Your name I pray, Amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.