May 1, 2024

Exodus 20:18-21 (HCSB)
The People’s Reaction
18 All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 “You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.” 20 Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear Him and will not sin.” 21 And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

Kim Stahlin
Have you ever really thought about what it would be like to really come face to face with God? Overwhelming is an understatement. I can only imagine the sense of awe, wonder, dread and worship. His greatness is so mighty and holy that we would be filled with a true sense of unworthiness. The Israelites had a fear of dying from being in the Lord’s presence. But Moses was quick to encourage them to not be fearful of God, but to revere Him, because their reverence of God should cause them to not sin.