Fear and Faith: Part I, "God on Mt. Sinai"

Flashes of lightning, the blast of a trumpet, and the looming Mount Sinai covered in smoke caused the people of Israel to tremble in fear and distance themselves from God. Terrified of God and afraid for their very lives, the people of Israel said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die" (Ex. 20:19). Moses responded, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you..." (Ex. 20:20). What?!? Are the people of Israel suppose to fear God or not? Why does Moses say "do not fear" and in the same breath say "that the fear of him may be before you"?

We do need to fear God, but that fear can either cause us to run away from him in terror or to run toward him in faith. But what does it mean to fear the Lord? This is a difficult question. Scripture teaches much about this topic, and I'm looking forward to sharing a few insights on the relationship between fear and faith in the Gospel of Mark. 

So please join me in observing more closely some of the pieces of God's life here on earth. Jesus exercises power to calm storms, cast out demons, heal the sick and diseased, feed five thousand, and to walk on water. When encountered with the cosmological power of Christ, the proper response is not to be driven away in fear, but to be driven toward him in faith and love. I hope these next few posts will help inspire you to a proper awe of God, a purer worship of him, and a deeper love for King Jesus.