Moses on the mountain - Seeking God when the fight is all around

It seems to me that Moses when he worshipped God on the mountain whilst the Israelites fought below, worshipped and sought God, focusing on Him. Not being distracted by the battle and problems and Chaos below. Indeed the very choice of a high vantage point suggests that He wanted to keep his heart, his eyes and hands lifted up.

This story seems to fit with the story of Moses who sought a focused encounter to see His glory. Remember Brother Lawrence’s lesson – focusing on the majesty and person of God in the midst of chaos, pots and pans people to be fed, the everyday chaos of business to be done. Do it all focused upon God.

The lesson is simple. Seek him and worship with all your heart all the battles that rage around you - even those that others fight will be won, when our hearts are single, upon God and God alone. Elijah who impacted the Nation also followed this rule – saying to Ahab – “God, before Whom I stand” - Stand continually in His presence, before His throne, In HIs mighty presence. The dividends and consequent impact on you, your family, your nation are incalculable.

In full knowledge of the problems surrounding him, not denying their realities but wanting to be aware of a greater reality through worship. The reality of His God.

Moses knew doctrine but did not make it his focus

Did moses know doctrine? Yes, undoubtedly so - God gave him the revelation of blood, lambs bulls, goats, the holy place, the holy of Holies, the temple, a prophet which will arise in time to come who is Christ. But what was his focus? Was it on all these things? If it was He would have been found in the temple - but Yet, the scriptures say He was in his own tent, his own home and the Glory of God like a pillar of light would come and speak face to face with him, like a friend. Apparently God likes simplicity.

Coming to God in His presence - you will be cleansed, you will feel the power of the blood and the presence of the King. It will be theology in its full experience and power.

Being stripped down of all the religious activity and fare and business God likes stripped down, simple conversational arrangements in your house. Simple worship, simple conversation, heart to heart talks. The same happened with David, the Ark in a simple tent with people coming to seek Him. He liked it so much He says I will rebuild the tent of David.

Christ was not distracted by theology

If Christ were distracted by theology, then the Lord's prayer would have been as long as some as our "theologically sound" prayers. The Lords prayer and even Christ's retorts to the evil one are lessons in elegance, simplicity and heartfelt sincerity. Elijah's prayer takes 11 seconds to pray for fire to consume his enemies. Know God in firsthand experience.

God cause our hearts to live in your presence, cause us to continually dwell where you are.

Pursue beauty or pursue systematic theology one leads to death the other leads to life.

Systematic theology and genuine mysticism are two diametrically opposed systems

Systematic theology at its extreme - is mans' attempt to impose a system of control over God, control over the form of God - conceptual control as well as control over the presence and power of God. Making the whole endeavour of relating to God conceptual in nature. Removing and replacing conversational prayer with pre programmed liturgy. Removing the heart and the spontaneity of human initiative, responses and desires with rigid, programmed external responses. Removing the very presence of God from people who need it.

Carried to an extreme, it removes from its own concept the genuine theology of knowledge of God, which is born from a relationship with the Spirit of God through the living word of God. In the process removing the dynamic life in responses of the heart’s encounter with the Holy Spirit, from spiritual endeavour.

Good theology leads to true mysticism, a genuine experience of God’s Spirit, which results in a transformed life - a life which most looks like Christ, which desires to do the Fathers will.

Systematic theology fosters a mans loyalty to creeds and common beliefs and systems and church traditions, but never quite cements a loyalty to following the person of Christ who is bigger than any creed or system of belief.

As a result programmes and human effort sprout like weeds in an attempt to create spiritual impact which is impossible for the source of these activity are but man’s fleshly effort to work God’s miracles.

Its fruit never produces the calming rest that comes from intimacy. Knowledge puffs up – ultimately it produces arrogance and pride instead of humility and love.

It seeks a place of authority, absolute knowledge and control over the uncontrollable – the nature of the mystery of God. We are called to  walk with God and experience Him not to control Him.

The Things of God surpass knowledge, these are things which cannot be controlled by man. For God is in heaven he does what he wills. We are called to walk in intimacy of experience. Not to have control and power over religious experiences.

Systematic theology at its extreme produces thought control in the same manner systematic Aryan master race beliefs produced thought control measures in Nazi Germany. An attempt to create a brainwashed people with no initiative, with mouths and hearts full of creeds and blind loyalty. People must be set free to think the thoughts of God through the spirit of God. The must be set free to Come alive in the sprit of God in spiritual endeavour which is created through prayer.

The systematic theologian calls what is genuinely mechanical, barbaric, parochial, dogmatic, narrow and nonsensical - noble, lovely beautiful and good.

Systematic theology in its ultimate growth produces Phariseeism, which persecutes true mysticism.

Beauty and the nobleness of the quest for beauty

God calls us to seek true beauty - Paul says in Philippians, "think about what is lovely, true, good, noble, beautiful" The person of God is beautiful, the presence of God is beautiful. "That I may see the beauty of your person in your sanctuary" worshipping in the beauty of your holiness - psalms 27. 

True mysticism is an attempt to experience the unknown - it contains romance and mystery. To unravel and chase, to pursue and be romantically involved yes totally committed in intimate experience with God. It is altogether life and life more abundantly.

It contains intimate worship total yieldedness, submission. It contains romance - a youthful idealism of being caught up and set ablaze with the passions of love. (song of Solomon)

The greatest desire is the strong impulse to love God

To be set alight with desire - not only good desires - great desires, yes even the greatest desire of all. The desire to love God with all desire.

Christ is the desire of our hearts. He is the desire of all nations. So the desire for beauty and freedom from sin and narrowness, the desire to love God above all things are great desires. We should recognise them for what they are - the desires born by the Holy Spirit in the man through man's contact with the Spirit of God.