In Exodus 19-20, we reach one of the most defining moments of Israel’s journey: the encounter at Mount Sinai. About three months have passed since the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt, and after various events—including victories over the Amalekites and the formation of their first administrative structure—Israel now finds itself at the base of Sinai. For Moses, this mountain holds special significance; it’s where God first revealed Himself through the burning bush, declaring, *“I AM WHO I AM.”* 

Now, God has summoned Israel for a deeper purpose. He sets conditions for their meeting and instructs Moses to consecrate the people, emphasizing the need for purity before coming into His presence. After three days, God’s presence descends on Sinai in a display of thunder, fire, and a trumpet blast that terrifies the people. Moses climbs the mountain, where he receives the Ten Commandments and the Law, a detailed guide for living in covenant with God.

This moment isn’t just about receiving commandments; it’s when Israel realizes the commitment involved in following God. Just as relationships begin with excitement but deepen through shared responsibilities, so does a walk with God. Initially, faith may feel uplifting and easy, but as challenges come—opposition, stress, temptation—we face a choice to hold firm in faith even when it’s hard.

In Acts 9, when God calls Saul (later Paul), He declares, *“I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”* Following God often involves sacrifice and pressing against worldly values. We’re called to stand firm, even when what we see around us contradicts what we believe. This isn’t about the easy moments of hallelujahs but about the times we’re tested.

Israel’s journey to Sinai is marked by a series of miracles: the crossing of the Red Sea, water from the rock, provision of manna, and victory in battle. But now they’re called to commit, to the “messy” part of faith that requires resilience. God’s Law was meant for their good, as Deuteronomy reminds us: *“So that it may go well with you, and you may multiply in a land flowing with milk and honey.”* The challenge? Following these commandments even when the world around us offers easier paths.

It’s easy to compare ourselves to others who seem to succeed without following God. We see people “getting ahead” without faith, and it can be tempting to question our choices. Yet, God’s call is to trust and obey, not because it’s convenient, but because it’s right. As believers, we may face ridicule, exclusion, or even suffering, but this pressing against the world’s ways shapes us and strengthens our faith.

Jesus Himself faced this pressure in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Mark 14, He reveals the depth of His anguish, saying, *“I am deeply grieved, even to death.”* Jesus, who calmed storms and raised the dead, was deeply troubled as He faced the ultimate sacrifice. Yet, He submitted to the Father, praying, *“Not what I want but what you want.”* This surrender—when all seems against us—is the essence of faithful obedience.

In our walk, we’re also invited to this obedience. Through Jesus, we have strength and victory, as He conquered sin and death for us. Moses’ role at Sinai foreshadows Christ’s role as our mediator. But while Moses brought down the Law, with its strict adherence and consequences, Jesus fulfilled the Law, taking our punishment and offering us grace.

Sinai was marked by boundaries; people couldn’t approach God freely, underscoring His holiness. Today, through Jesus, we have open access to the Father. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to *“approach the throne of grace with confidence,”* a privilege unimaginable under the old covenant. We no longer purify ourselves externally to enter God’s presence; instead, we are made righteous through Jesus, who cleanses us from within. This access to God’s holy presence is a profound gift—one that transforms how we live and relate to Him.

Following Christ doesn’t mean life will be easy; it means our faith may be tested in profound ways. But in these trials, we are called to lean on God’s strength, knowing Jesus has already won the victory. As we face life’s pressures, we can pray as Jesus did: *“Not what I want, but what you want, Lord.”* These are the prayers that strengthen us, change lives, and bring victories.

Where the people at Sinai trembled at God’s majesty, we can approach Him with joy and confidence, knowing His love and power are for us. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are not merely followers of the Law but beloved children with full access to the Father, called to live in the freedom and grace Jesus has won for us.