JUNE 24, 2024
READ: Exodus 20:18-21
MEMORY VERSE
“Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you.” Exodus 20:20
BACKGROUND
A phobia is defined as the “irrational fear” of certain things or situations. Arachnophobia is a fear of spiders (though some might argue that’s a perfectly rational thing to be afraid of!).
Then there’s globophobia and xocolatophobia. These and some four hundred other phobias are real and documented. It seems we can become afraid of most anything.
The Bible tells of the Israelites’ fear after receiving the Ten Commandments: “When the people saw the thunder and lightning . . . they trembled with fear” (Exodus 20:18).
Moses comforted them, offering this most interesting statement: “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you” (v. 20). Moses seems to contradict himself: “Don’t be afraid but be afraid.”
In fact, the Hebrew word for “fear” contains at least two meanings—a trembling terror of something or a reverent awe of God. We may laugh to learn that globophobia is the fear of balloons and xocolatophobia is a fear of chocolate. The more serious bottom line about phobias is that we can be afraid of all kinds of things.
Fears creep into our lives like spiders, and the world can be a scary place. As we struggle with phobias and fears, we do well to be reminded that our God is an awesome God, offering us His present comfort in the midst of darkness.
By: Kenneth Petersen
INSIGHT
Two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they came to the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus 19:1-2). Mount Sinai, also called Mount Horeb (3:1; 33:6), was the place where Moses first got to know who God was at the burning bush (3:1-12).
Now the whole nation would get to know the “I am” (vv. 14-15). Their arrival is a fulfillment of verse 12: “When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
It marked the beginning of their privileged status as God’s covenant people—“a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (19:6). It’s here that God gave them His laws—instructions for how to relate to God and worship Him (20:1-11) and how to live as His holy people (vv. 12-17).
They camped at the foot of Mount Sinai for about a year (Numbers 10:11). Their stay in the Sinai wilderness is told in Exodus 19 through Numbers 10.
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
What in your life are you afraid of? How does God’s love help you overcome those fears?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Fears creep into our lives like spiders, and the world can be a scary place. As we struggle with phobias and fears, we do well to be reminded that our God is an awesome God, offering us His present comfort in the midst of darkness.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!…
A river brings joy to the city of our God…The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel[b] is our fortress. Psalms 46:1-7
PRAYER
“Dear God, I find myself afraid of so many things. Please comfort my heart, and help me to rest in Your love.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GOD IS MY REFUGE”
God is our refuge and our Strength yeah
A very present help in times of trouble
God is our refuge and our Strength yeah
A very present help in times of trouble
Father I cry out to You
Because I know You are listening
Father, I need you
Thought I could make it by myself
My Spirit tarry
Please come and refresh me
Give me the strength to try again
There is nothing I needed more
Than Your precious love upon me
Everything I’ve been searching for
I find in You completely
Lord, I need Your love,
I need Your Love
That’s where I can find
All my HELP” Oh Oh oh!
What can I compare to Your great love
There’s nothing else
I need Your Love
When my life is drifting
In waves of confusion
When my heart is torn and overwhelmed.
I’ll call on the name of
The Alpha and Omega
For You are my Present, Present Help
There is nothing I needed more…
Yeah… God is my refuge
and my Strength (Hallelujah)
A very present help in times of trouble
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
PSALMS 150
