"Fear Of the Lord"

  God is not like us! Too many are making God like man. The Almighty is viewed as thinking like man, going about things the way man would and reasoning as man. Too many have taken Deity and made Him as 'one of the good ole' boys'! Preaching has becoming entertainment with lots of jokes and funny lines to describe the things of God and His Son while the fun continues with His word. Worship has been surrounded with a mentality of excitement and in many cases a "rock concert" atmosphere. God has simply been reduced to mans thinking and shaped by mans world. Because many enjoy this new emotional high, God is no longer the Almighty Jehovah who reigns in righteousness, holiness and justice but has become an idol. Simply an image formed by the thought of man.

  Take some time and read Scripture about the descriptions of God. You will find the encounters with God were nothing like practiced today. When God rescued, there was a bowing down of thankfulness. When God destroyed those in direct conflict with Him and His people, there was an awe inspiring humility of gratitude. When God confronted people in their sins, there was an earnest appeal in fear and trembling knowing it wasn't going to go well if He were ignored.

  The Hebrew writer explains to the Jewish Christian the difference between what Moses and the people encountered in Scripture and what they (we) possess today in the presence of God. In Hebrews 12:18-29 that description is given in detail. Even from the days of Moses coming to the mountain, we are told they were warned and could not bear "even if a beast touches a mountain, it will be stoned." (Heb. 12:20) The result was Moses spoke that he was "full of fear and trembling." (Heb. 12:21) Through Jesus we have been brought into the presence of this same Almighty God. It is much deeper because of the elements surrounding our God through the blood of Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.

  Then sounds the warnings: don't refuse Him who is speaking (Heb. 12:25)! The voice of God shook the earth at the mountain but there is coming a time when His voice will not only the earth but heaven too (Heb. 12:26)! God is going to remove the created things and only the 'unshakable' will remain. The conclusion? "Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire."  (Heb. 12:28-29) It's called fear of the Lord, not living in the presence of some cosmic Santa!