“18. And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people say it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.”
God has just given the children of Israel the Ten Commandments. Starting in vs. 18 we can also take note that they are also seeing the glory and power of our Almighty Creator. Vs. 18 and 19 makes it clear that Israel is terrified of the presence of God. They want Moses to speak on their behalf because the fear of death has set in so deeply. Vs. 20 is the key to today’s devotion, notice how Moses first says to “Fear not”, but then he says “that his fear may be before your faces”. There are many believers today that are afraid to be in the presence of God, the reason is, they have no fear of sin and they have no fear of the outcome of their sinful lifestyle. What does it take for you to put sin out of your life? Do you really want to see God get your attention through His presence? In this context of scripture we can first see that Moses is a great picture of Jesus Christ. He has stepped in between the people and God for communication. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour there is no possible way of communication with God. I Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Please visit the Lost Page of our website for a clear understanding of salvation. Back to the believer, do you fear the result of sin? Look at the children of Israel again, they are in great fear of the wrath of God. They are probably under conviction because the Ten Commandments have just been given. God starts out by saying “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Does hunting consume you? When hunting is more important to you than your relationship with God that would make hunting a false god in you life! Look at the next commandment, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…” Most believers instantly think that would mean like a statue of buddha, or a statue of Mary. What is your trophy room like? Do you have a big buck hanging up that you gloat about? A lot of hunters think that their trophy room success is what defines them. Your beginning to push the envelope of a graven image. Pride is also consuming your life! God hates pride, but that’s for another devotion. What about honoring your father and mother? That was part of the Ten! Are you respectful to them? Do you love them like you should? What about adultery? Stealing? Bearing a false witness(lying)? Coveting after things that are not yours? Its seems that God is pouring out conviction to all of His children and then He follows up by showing them His power through thunder and lightning. Have you ever had thunder rumble so close that you jump out of your skin? What about lighting. Just one time, observe lightning strike an object close to you. Your heart and your nerves will turn inside out. Look also at the power of God, Exodus 24:17 “And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.” Israel is convicted about their sin, the presence of God makes them feel like they want to die, but notice again what Moses says, “Fear not”. God loves the human race so much that He suffered a terrible death to pay for all of man’s sin. In this context of scripture God is saying, I love you, I want to have a true relationship with you, don’t be afraid to be in My presence. The rest of the verse gives us the reason for the Ten Commandments and the presence of God; “For God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” God is trying them so they will keep sin out of their life! God loves us so much, but He hates the open sin that we continually commit. When we learn to keep sin out of our lives, we are able to have a relationship with God that you cant even begin to explain. Proverbs 28:13 “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” What is keeping you from the presence of God today? God loves you and God will help you overcome any sin or sins that is holding you down. If He forgave King David of murder and adultery, He will most certainly forgive you of anything! God is faithful and God wants to have a relationship with you, but you must put sin out of your life!
Memory Verse 1/6/19
Exodus 20:20
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.”
Mighty nice buck good message