Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, September 28, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-09-28-2017

This is devotional thought number 15 in our devotional series, “Removing the Veil: Sanctuary Living in the 21st Century.” Our subject is: Responding to God’s Invitation

Here’s the question for consideration: What sanctuary principle insulates us against fear?

“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” (Exodus 20:18–20).

YHWH was creating a safe place of relationship and communion with His people (sanctuary) and they were retreating in fear. YHWH was coming near, to sanctify them, and they were running away. Something’s really wrong.

Please do not misunderstand me here. I totally get it. The earth was quaking, there was fire, smoke, trumpet blasts, etc., as the Lord made His presence manifest. It had to have been an awesome sight. It must have been unforgettable. However, I find it curious that Moses felt safe enough to approach God. Why did he not allow his apprehension, in the light of God’s infinite might, to drive him away in fear? Why did he not beg for someone else to speak to him on God’s behalf? Was Moses more special than the others? Let me share a couple of New Testament verses to help us figure this out: “For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7, LEB). Here it is again, from another translation: “For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7, GNB). When we are set aside by God for holiness, we are not to be timid. We have no need to fear standing for Him in the face of adversity. We certainly have no need to fear appearing in His presence and hearing what He has to say. Rather, His Spirit gives us power, love, and a sound mind. Try this passage on for size: “And we ourselves know and believe the love which God has for us. God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them. Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on Judgement Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ’s. There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment. We love because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:16–19, GNB).
Clearly, Moses had the confidence to approach the King of the universe, because he was already finding God to be a dwelling place while God was perfecting him in love. Can you see yourself in this story? Would you be paralyzed in fear, or surrender your fear to God and accept His invitation to commune with Him?

When you experience an awe inspiring closeness with God and you become fearful, just know that His awesome revelations are designed to make us aware of our utter helplessness and the need to surrender our sinful ways. God does not want us to scamper away. He is a safe place. When preparing to meet the King in worship, prayer, Bible study, or selfless service to others, confess your sins, ask God for wisdom and power to accomplish His mission, be thankful that His essence can have a purifying effect on you. Thank God for loving you so much that He is willing to come into your space and inspire you to holiness, not...