I’m reading through Exodus right now in the New Living Translation. It’s been interesting revisiting Moses. I’m still astounded that Moses ascended into the cloud to speak to God. This was the verse that stopped me today:

Exodus 24:
10There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a pavement of brilliant sapphire, as clear as the heavens. 11And though Israel’s leaders saw God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they shared a meal together in God’s presence!

The leaders of Israel were on God’s mountain, the mountain of His presence. They saw a glimpse of God! Amazing! God’s feet stood upon dazzling pavement. How frightened they must’ve been. And yet God spared them and allowed His presence to linger while they supped together.

I believe that’s a picture of church planting. We dare to approach a holy God (through Jesus Christ). We bask in His amazing presence because it lies within us now, not on a mountain or in a particular location. We eat in God’s presence, sharing bread and fellowship. And then, we invite others to “share a meal together in God’s presence.”