Where Has It Gone?

‭‭‭‭‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:18‭-‬20‬ [18] Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. [19] Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” [20] And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”

Where has it gone? Where has what gone? You know, that thing that was once so common amongst true believers. Oh, you mean sacrificial service? No. Old style music worship? No. Good old fashion fellowship with plenty of goodies to gobble. No. Well? Fear. Where has the reverent fear gone? It is truly amazing to read all the instances in Scripture where the responses to God or one of His angels was a paralyzing, reverent, fear. A fear that made man think twice about how we approached the Almighty God of the universe. A fear that made men careful to prepare themselves, their attitudes, and their motives, before they approached our Holy and Righteous God. How flippant we are today in using God's Name in vain. I often hear born again believers use God's Name without a second thought of how they are profaning it. Many of us sit with ease and comfort, watching movies and shows that use the Lord's Name as a cuss word. We flippantly refer to Him as the "Big Guy" or refer to Him as if He were one of our buddies. The Israelites were so terrified to be in God's presence that they preferred to hear whatever He had to say, through Moses. We wonder why the church has become what it is today. It is because there is no longer a real fear of our Holy God. Please understand, my friends, I know that God, in Christ, has adopted us and He is our Abba Father. I know that Jesus is our Lord, Savior, and Friend. However, these truths don't void the truth that we are to approach God with a reverent fear that makes us think twice about how we approach Him in prayer, or how we worship and serve Him with our lives. It is a reverent fear of the Lord that will stop us and make us think, and pray, before we cross the line of temptation, to sin. So I ask this simple question today, "Where has it gone?"

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