18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:18-21

Moses had just been face to face with God. It would have clearly been rated the ultimate “mountain top experience.” You don’t get any higher in life than that!

He came down from the mountain and the people reported what they had heard. He had heard God; they had heard thunder and a trumpet, and saw some smoke. Once again, they were afraid, and with good reason. I’d be afraid if I had heard and seen all of that. They couldn’t bear it. Of course they didn’t have to go through what Moses had to go through in order to get to where he was. He had to put up with the complaints and frustrations of over a million people. He had just seen the glory of God, and it must have been a let down to have to face these people again.

That is the point, though, isn’t it? He got encouragement from the Lord himself, which would have to carry him through the difficult times. He was going to go back up soon.

We may find it awe-inspiring that Moses had very close encounters with His Creator and was encouraged by it, but we have the same God on our side, pulling for us, encouraging us when we need it. And we need it often.

Mountain top experiences aren’t just for people like Moses. We can experience them daily. He is waiting there – wherever there is for you – to meet us.