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Hope in Fear

Exodus 19: 16-24; Hebrews 12: 18-29

 Is there something that a Christian should be afraid of? If we think about it, we can remember David's example. When he was afraid of enemies, armies or wars, he wanted to be closer to God. He sought to be in the house of the Lord where he found peace and protection.

 David fought fear in several places. We can hear his fear when he cried out:
 Don't hide your face from me
 Do not be mad at me
 Don't leave me alone
 Teach me your way
 Do not leave me to my enemie's will.

 In moments of anguish David sought to be closer to God. He spent time in contemplation and prayer.

 In Exodus 19, the people had to walk for 30 days to reach the foot of Mount Sinai. All the while God had provided water, food and meat. God was demonstrating his power and care. Now at the foot of the mountain the people were going to meet God face to face. 

 The people had seen the power of God in the last days through various signs. God had punished the Egyptians with 10 plagues. He had demonstrated his control when the people of Egypt gave gold, silver and precious stones to the children of Israel. At the edge of the Red Sea, God had used Moses to divide the waters. The people had every reason to trust the power of the Lord to protect them in each and every situation. God could take away their fear. 

 However, at the end of this sad story, we know that the people did not believe and did not trust the God of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In addition to seeing the power of God demonstrated in the plagues and the strength of God in the division of the waters and in the provision of food and also the majesty of God on the mountain, before the delivery of the law on tablets, they were going to make an idol representing their god.

 The author of the letter to the Hebrews warns us in chapter 12:18-29 that we must remember what happened at the foot of the mountain so as not to repeat the same mistake. Besides the fact that we have never seen such miracles come from the hand of God, the great warning in the passage comes in verse 25, "Hebrews 12:25, "See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? "

 So my friends don't stray from God's way. This path leads to the Kingdom of God and an eternity of gratitude for everything he did through his grace. An eternity free from fear. If you stray, you were never really part of the family and you have a right to be afraid. 

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