All places where I record My name. Exodus 20:24-26 As God spoke at Mount Sinai, the Israelites needed to understand several important things they did not know. God is to be worshipped without man-made images [v.23], in simplicity [v.24-25], and with modesty [v.26]. Nothing unseemly was allowed when worshipping the living God. There can be no rivals or anything that might be perceived as copying God or representing Him to meet human expectations of what He is like.
God had to teach them how to worship with their hearts, spirits, and truth. They needed specific instructions so they wouldn’t make sacrifices of their own choosing, in places of their own choosing, or on altars of their own design to meet their own religious ideas. True worship is not based on the traditions of men or on things that would attract an emotional response without spiritual discernment.
Our God is a LivingGod. He is not some mute god who reveals Himself through things made by human hands. On that mountain where He placed His name and clearly inscribed His law, the ground shook, and the air filled with smoke and lightning—the crashing of thunder—all of this demonstrated to those people that there is a real Living God with immense power and authority. God did not want His people to live in fear of Him as if He is not a rational, merciful, loving, and kind Being. He was not a violent, out-of-control force waiting to unleash judgment. Still, they needed to understand that wanton sin and uncontrolled evil actions have consequences. Sin is dangerous now, and justice will be served in God’s perfect timing.
We need to remind ourselves of these principles. The fear of God is the foundation of knowledge and wisdom that prompts us to behave cautiously, show reverence for God, obey His word, and engage in true worship in spirit and truth. Unacceptable behavior, inappropriate attire, and a wrong attitude are not allowed when worshiping the holy, living God. We were created and called to live, move, and have our being in God. We were made for God and by God. He desires to communicate with us, and we should respond willingly by speaking to Him.
By God's grace, we have gone further than Mount Sinai. We are approaching Mount Zion, the city of the Living God. When the Holy Spirit gave us new life, we were awakened to God. The world, the flesh, and the devil, which once blinded us and caused us to fear, have been replaced by a new nature, and we are made into a new creation in Christ. A consciousness of sin has awakened our need for God, and instead of seeking a "Moses" or a priest to take our place so we can flee from God, we are drawn to Him by the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit.
Now, it is our joy to be where God is, and He has recorded His name on the tablet of our hearts—written our name on the palm of His hand. God accepts the devotion that comes from the hearts of His people. Anything that distracts their fleshly attention hinders, not helps, true worship. We draw near with sincere hearts and full assurance of faith to Him in the place where He records His name. Nothing that originates from human imagination should enter into the worship of God. True worship of God is to be done in His way, not by us creating our own religious forms to satisfy ourselves.
God drew near to those who had been worshipping "the creature rather than the Creator." It was entirely fitting to speak loudly to them to show His power and strength. They had received God's blessing every morning when they woke up, for all around them lay the pure, sweet food from heaven as God gently spoke to them through the bread from heaven. But they needed to be awakened to God's might, authority, and power as He engraved on their hearts the reality of His Person and presence. His goal wasn't to scare them but to make them aware of their obligation to obey Him. When God is obeyed, His power becomes active in our lives. When we are willing to obey Him, we follow Him because we love Him. When we love Him, "our fear is gone; we shun God's presence now no more."
The worship of God and the way we approach Him are not determined by the creativity or conclusions people reach after some conference or gathering they organize. God began with Israel by giving them specific principles. Do not mark or alter anything that belongs to God. The darkness of paganism did this, creating large buildings and statues. Beautiful altars were designed and crafted by sin-corrupted hands. Shapes were made by human imagination to attempt to describe what cannot truly depict God. We are not allowed, just like the Israelites, to invent our own religion.
The altar used for burnt and peace offerings was to be made of material that would only record the name of God. The sin and trespass offerings were given later, with men identifying themselves through those offerings, and the altar was built to burn them. This altar was not to have any tools placed on it. As soon as a tool touched what was dedicated entirely to God, it became polluted.
Flowery words and rehearsed phrases meant to attract have no value in God's worship. Soft music to soothe, loud music to excite, dim lights to calm, or flashing lights to provoke do not belong where God records His name. Anything that diminishes the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, or clouds the message of the cross in any way is offensive. "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Our theme and message are "Jesus Christ and Him crucified." The grand buildings and visible displays created by men to impress themselves and others with their religious motives are not from God.
The tools of men and the steps taken to reach the altar have no place where the Lord has recorded His name. When a preacher's oratory and his skillful interpretation of God's truth appeal to people, his flesh is revealed, and they are drawn to the wrong things altogether. Once human instincts enter into worship, it leads to the exaltation of man, the pursuit of pleasure in the name of religion, and possibly moral perversion. Those attending a gathering of God's people should focus on the burnt offering and the peace offering, on the Lord Jesus Christ as the Object of our gathering and worship.