"Trembling Before God"

  Have we missed something about our God? Maybe I'm looking for a little help from you today. It seems that too many are making the Father as their good 'old buddy' or 'pal.' They seem to speak in ways that make me think they just stroll into His presence like those who give a big hug asking, "How ya doing?" I hear others say, but I don't believe them, how God spoke to them in this manner or that like they were selected out of all those on the earth to hear this special revelation. 

  I read where Moses encountered God in the wilderness seeing a bush burning and God calling him by name. When it was revealed that he was standing in the presence of God Almighty, the ground was sacred, Moses didn't say, "Hey buddy, good to hear from you!" Moses hid his face and was afraid to look at God!! (Ex. 3:6) 

  When Moses requested to see God and God explained no man can see Him and live, God placed Moses in the cleft of the rock, put His hand over Moses to shield him and passed by, Moses could not stand up but made haste to bow low and he worshiped the Almighty (Ex. 34:8) Moses and God were close as friends (Ex. 33:11) yet it was not a common friendship. James speaks that Moses was called a friend of God (Jam. 2:23). There was a great reverence and each of those encounters with God, this closeness of relationship, God spared Moses by protecting him each time as God revealed no man can see Me and live. 

  Jesus showed God to man in Himself. As close as Peter was to Jesus, when Peter and his partners had fished all night and the Lord bid him to let out again into deep water, their nets filled with fish so great like nothing they had ever seen before. And what did Peter do? He fell down at the feet of Jesus bidding, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" (Luke 5:8) There was a confession, a realization in the presence of Jesus. While Peter was pleased to be near, there was a reverence in the presence of Jesus. 

  How about Thomas the doubter when He encountered the risen Lord? In his touching Jesus, Thomas exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)

  What do we learn? Are we to be a people that come crawling into the presence of the Almighty, taking the Supper with gloom and doom in our heart? Of course not! Too many see the Lord God as One who is ready to crush us with His mighty fist! This God protected His friend. This Lord spared His apostles.That's what friendships do but we are called to pursue the sanctification (holiness) which we were called to or we will not see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). Holiness is serious both in living and worship! This same God who loves us and this Son who committed His life for us calls us with a holy calling that we are to show gratitude. How? "By which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe." (Heb. 12:28) Acceptable service with reverence and awe. He's not just a pal and chummy buddy. The Lord God Almighty and His Savior needs to be revered and held in high esteem, not some encounter as we would see in on the street corner or with some other person. He is holy!!