Exodus Chps 19 to 20
Moses leads the Israelites to the foot of Mt Sinai where it is clear that God is present as fire and smoke engulf the mountain. The people fear God and rightly so for He is all powerful and He is a jealous God, etc.
Which brings me to the verse most striking today:
20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." (Exodus 20:20)
This is of course interesting in and of itself because upon first read it is a contradiction: don't be afraid (of God) but be afraid (of God). What is really meant of course is that we should have nothing to fear if we first fear God because he will protect us because of our love for Him and obedience to Him.
This is the difference between a healthy fear of God vs an unhealthy one.
My Prayer: Lord, I know that because I am human I am sinful. Please help me stay close to you so that I can as best as possible avoid sin and if I do sin, help me seek your forgiveness. Help me remain cognizant of your power and that I should seek you first above all else.
