Reverent Fear

Verse of the day: Exodus 20:18-19 “All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 Then they said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.’”

What a difference from Exodus 19:18-25, when the Israelites had to be warned not to come near Mount Sinai, lest they perish. Now, as they saw, and observed, the power of God, once again, in the thunder, lightning, smoke, and sound of the trumpet, great fear fell upon them. Their fear was so great that now they did not dare hear from God Himself, but desired a mediator. Sadly, that fear did not last long, as later we find them worshipping the golden calf. How quickly their fear and reverence for God dissipated once the terror of this event became a faded memory. It was under these conditions that Israel received the Law. God communicating to them, by both visual and sound effects, what fear and reverence they should have toward Him and His Word. Do we fear and reverence God as we should? Do we treasure (Psalm 119:162), and seek to be doers of, His Word (James 1:22-25)? I am afraid that we do not have the same kind of fear and reverence toward God today because we have not had to come near to Mount Sinai in receiving eternal life, and God’s Word (Hebrews 12:8). When we consider God’s mode of communication in giving the Law to man, it should make us aware of the fact that we, in and of ourselves, cannot please God enough, in any way, to earn His acceptance. The Law came to man to show us that we are sinful, and unable to save ourselves (Galatians 3:10-12, 19; Romans 3:19-20). Today, God takes a different approach in this “Age of Grace”; nonetheless, this should not lessen our reverence for God and His Word. As we read the Old Testament and the Law, it should give us a greater appreciation for what we have gained in Jesus Christ. Unlike the terrible scene under which the Law was received, today, it is God’s goodness that should lead us to repentance, and acceptance of God’s saving grace in Christ Jesus (Romans 2:1-4). The Israelites, although they had a mediator, Moses, were still too afraid to approach the LORD. In Christ, we do not have the same fear, for in Christ we are acceptable to the Father. Therefore, we are given permission to approach the Throne of God with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). However, that boldness should not be without reverence. The Israelites came to understand, the moment they observed what was taking place before their very eyes, that they were not fit to dwell in the presence of God, solely based on hearing God’s standard set in the Law. Today, we are still not fit to dwell in His presence outside of the LORD’s redeeming grace (Romans 3:23), that can only be found, and obtained in, Jesus Christ. Titus 3:5-7 reminds us, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” One day, just like the trumpet sounded at Mount Sinai, and God’s Law was presented in order to show man that he is condemned and lost, and preparing the way for our Savior; we will once again hear the trumpet sound. This time, however, it will be too late to receive God’s redeeming grace. The great terror that fell upon the Israelites on that day will seem small in comparison to the terror to come, as this time it will be a time of judgment for those who reject Christ and the Gospel message (Matthew 24:30-31; Revelation 8-11). Come to Him, our loving Savior, now, if you do not know Him personally, before it is too late. If we are already His child, we must ask ourselves, “Do we fear and revere Him and His Word as we ought?”

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).