#FEARLESS365 is a yearlong study of God’s commandment to us to live without fear. For 365 days, we will focus on one scripture and volunteers from all over the world will share their personal thoughts and what God has shared with them on the specific verse. For more info… go here.
Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
Exodus 20:20
In Exodus chapter 20, the first seventeen verses are attributed to receiving the stones engraved with the ten commandments. But the next four verses 18-21, invite us to watch as Israel responds to the giving of this law.
Israel was just saved from brutal slavery. God saved them, but fear of what has happened still severely impacts how these people react to anything. The whole process to gaining the ten commandments has been riddled with fear and trepidation. Will Moses, their leader, ever come down? What were they going to do?
Moses did come down. He shared a lifeline with the people of Israel, with me. The way to flee fear is to replace it. God commands us in this verse to fear HIM, to awe after, to show reverence to, to trust in Him because He is stable, He is gracious, He is kind, and He isn’t leaving you.
Fear that is rooted in what I cannot control is SIN. I have to name it for what it is. Fear is my number one struggle and it is a day by day process to ask God to set me free from fear’s vice grip. But I can be set free by holding fast to Him, by fearing (reverencing, aweing) Him. When I choose to fear Him, it puts to rest the desire to serve and fall prey to my fear, namely my sin.
In essence, I am called to remember his faithfulness. I’m not asked to fear a god that has done nothing to prove that he is reliable. In every way His words, His promises continue to prove true. The reminder from Joshua rings loud and clear. Choose this day whom ye will serve. Feelings are not facts. Facts are founded on what you believe to be true. Choose wisely.
Ashlea Heitner is a Computer Arts Teacher who lives in Pennsylvania. She loves running in the forest.
Defying Shadows 
Great post and it goes along with my post from yesterday on 2 Samuel 13:28. I mentioned the fear of God but didn’t clarify what it meant.