Scripture to Read: Exodus 20:18
Having a healthy fear of God is so important for every follower of Christ. Most of us, as Christians, can’t imagine not having a personal relationship with God through Christ. We have the freedom to talk with God the Father at all times. He is always listening because He lives in us through His Holy Spirit but for the nation of Israel, this was not the case. God tells us in Exodus 20:18, “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.” The people of the nation of Israel stood in fear as God’s incredible power was revealed through the “thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking.” What an ominous sight they saw, and we can’t even imagine how loud the thunder or the trumpet might have been. But as Christians, our Lord wants us to intimately know Him, so much so that He stopped revealing Himself in a temple made with human hands—instead, He made our bodies His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20). When we take to heart all that God has done for us through Christ, then we will pay closer attention to how we are walking with Him. We will be more reverent of Him but at the same time, enjoy our sweet fellowship with Him through prayer and spending intimate time in His Word. We have it so much better today than the Israelites.
Challenge & Application
· What are you doing to continue to deepen your intimate fellowship with our Lord and His Word?
· How are you helping newer Christians to develop their intimacy with God and His Word?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!