The Fear of the Lord

What does our God desire from us?
Can it be truly just "transformation?" Can it be just our worship (on Friday/Sundays)? Is the Most Holy One pleased with just our lip service? Our vague confessions of not "prioritizing" our time, not "going to God" with things?

HOW CAN THIS BE?

Three times in the same chapter (Deuteronomy 9), Moses fasts and doesn't drink for 40 days (remind you of anyone?). The first time, it is when he goes up the mountain to receive the Law of God, which God himself writes.

The second time is when the people of Israel erect a golden calf to worship. Moses falls prostate before the Lord for 40 days without food or drink, "because of the sin that you had committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger. For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure that the LORD bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you" (Duet 9:18-19 ESV).

The third time, he falls prostate before God again to stop the Lord from destroying the people of Israel because of their rebellion.

So? What does this have to do with us? Doesn't it make God sound like this out-of-control, tantrum throwing, angry fellow? And I thought God was love?

What is the context of all this? God has promised to their forefathers that they would inherit the land, that they will be blessed and bless nations. God delivers them out of Egypt by His mighty hand, leads them through the wilderness despite their rebellion, feeds them manna for 40 days, conquers mighty foes for His namesake. And yet. the people. always. falls back to sin.

Because of His own goodness, and the fact that God is a faithful covenant maker, He stills His righteous fury and indignation. His own people spit at Him at every turn, yet He is a compassionate God.

And for us now? We have such occasion for joy! God, in his sovereign plan, sent His HOLY Son Jesus the Christ to die for the sins of the world. Utter beauty defeated to death. Yet for His GLORY, Jesus is RAISED from the DEAD, and God is victorious!

Now we as Gentiles can partake of the salvation of the Jews, and we have this infinitely glorious destiny awaiting us when the Christ returns for his people.

So what is the fear of the Lord? I believe it is the understanding of who God is and the working of the Gospel in the restoration of the world, and His eventual judgment.

We as Christians must be sober-minded. I always find myself turning back to 1 Peter in order to see the type of life I should be living out:

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

(1 Pet 1:13 -19 ESV).

God wants us to be holy and conducting ourselves with fear (the exile refers to 1 Pet 1:1) because of the Gospel. To set our hopes fully on the grace to come. Living lives of holiness... we are called to intercede for the nations and for Israel. Come and let us love and fear the Lord, because we have been abundantly pardoned.