The discipline of a daily quiet time with God has dulled the spiritual senses of many. While it is good to be habitual and purposeful in our walk with God, meetings with the divine ought to be driven by more than a calendar or a routine. When we spend time with God, we are not merely conducting a Bible reading or indulging in a prayer time. We are relating to almighty God. The same God who spoke and created a universe is now communing with us. That ought to be a sobering reality every time we approach the heavenly throne. While lightning may not flash across the sky every time we bow our head in prayer, God’s presence is just as real. His splendor is just as awesome. The possibilities are just as enormous.
God is spirit and the spiritual world is His domain. Yet at various times He chooses to express Himself physically so His temporal creatures can experience first-hand His awesome power. While God does not utilize lightning and thunder every time He speaks to His people, there are certain moments when He ensures we do not miss His message. God has ways of ensuring we do not treat Him lightly or carelessly.
In later days God spoke to His people but not with the same frightening intensity of Mount Sinai. However, the Israelites knew that the God who could speak in the still, small voice was also the terrifying God of Mount Sinai. Just as the prophet Isaiah was astounded when he was allowed to see the spiritual reality of heaven’s court as he worshipped (Isaiah 6), so we should consider that when we enter the spiritual realm, there is far more happening than our spiritual eyes and ears may detect.