…the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, 'Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain." Exodus 19:10-13
I know that we are not Old Testament Israel. We have not been delivered from Egypt by the mighty hand of God. We are not camped at the foot of Mount Sinai, and we are not about to receive the Ten Commandments. BUT!
I believe that we can learn somethings from Exodus 19, at least in principle, about preparing to meet with, and hear from God when we gather for corporate worship.
About how we dress. It is not about a dress code. But it is about looking our best when we are coming into the presence of the Lord.
About reverence instead of being too casual. This goes way beyond what we wear. It is about our hearts. It is about remembering that even though we can come freely into the presence of the Lord God, it is the presence of the Lord God into which we come. This calls for heart preparation beginning the evening before. This calls for sober mindedness in examining ourselves and confessing our sins (knowing that He forgives) so that we can come to Him with clean hands and pure hearts. And a perfect time to do this is in the prayer meeting before the Sunday worship begins. This calls us to be there unless we absolutely can’t, and to be in our places when the worship service begins.
And praise God that we are not to prepare for worship under penalty of death if we do not. But let us realize that the penalty of death for not preparing at Sinai underscores how important this matter is to God.
All of this suggests a holy excitement, enthusiasm, and expectation that we will offer worship to, and hear from Almighty God Himself.
How do you and I need to be more prepared for corporate worship each Lord’s Day morning?