Apr 30

Many people today are just like the people of the Exodus when confronted face to face with God: They are so afraid of him that they do not want him to talk to them, and so they remain distanced from God, just as the people of old were:

"The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was" (Ex. 20:21).

Moses told the people to go to where God was, and they did--up to a point. But the closer they got to the mountain of God, the more fearful they became, until, in the end, they refused to draw any closer to God. They wanted God to keep his distance from him. They were afraid of God, fearful that being in his presence would mean death for him.

In this they were more accurate than they knew. For a sinner to be in the presence of a holy God does mean death. But the good news for us is that Jesus has cleansed us and made us holy in God's eyes, so that we no longer have to be afraid.

Death is still involved, however. Jesus said that we can never produce fruit for God until we are willing to die to self and live for him. Many today are still afraid to die to self and thus can never know the wonderful closeness they could have as God descends from heaven to live with them.

Scripture for today: Exodus 29, 20; Matt. 16:24-27
Thought for today: I must die to self to be close to God.
Prayer for today: Lord, I long to be close to you. Take away any fear I may have of you and replace it with your perfect love.

APR 30