Why Are You Afraid?

Why Are You Afraid?


All the people, experiencing the thunder and lightning, the trumpet blast and the smoking mountain, were afraid—they pulled back and stood at a distance. They said to Moses, "You speak to us and we'll listen, but don't have God speak to us or we'll die." Moses spoke to the people: "Don't be afraid. God has come to test you and instill a deep and reverent awe within you so that you won't sin." The people kept their distance while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.
Exodus 20:18-21 THE MESSAGE


In this part of Exodus, I get the feeling that God is all excited about finally having his own people. He delivers directions; via Moses, to have everyone scrub their clothes and consecrate themselves. Then, congregate at a specific location and wait. Why? Because God is coming to meet with them! When they hear all the noise, they tell Moses, “You speak to us and we’ll listen, but don’t have God speak to us or we’ll die.” Then it says that they kept their distance. How sad.

After reading the aforementioned verse, what comes to mind is when I met, a dear friend’s son for the first time. Normally, kids see me as a stuffed toy, ready for play. But, not this time. As his parents introduced me to Jr., he ran like the wind, right behind his dad. They pulled him out and reassured Jr. that “Uncle Eric” was no one to fear. As I got on my knees and reached out, he only sought refuge behind his dad’s leg.

The fear of the new and unknown overrode any logic and assurance junior’s parents offered. Likewise, the Israelites refused to listen and only retreated from the one that saved them. They saw something so terrifying that they wanted nothing to do with it, even though they had every assurance. Do you think that God was saddened by the Israelite’s fear of him?

I wonder; if God came to you and beckoned you closer, would you come closer? Or, would fear of losing what you already have, keep you from drawing closer to the one that has saved you? When God asks you to come closer, try to remember he has plans for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.