And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:18-21
The people witnessed the presence of God and they trembled and stood afar off. God came down upon the mountain and the people crowded away. God was in their midst and they turned away. They told Moses to speak for them for we will die if we go near. I can see it in my minds eyes. The people crowding away in fright, begging Moses to speak for them, to put in a good word. And Moses told them not to fear for the Lord has come to test you. That His fear may be before you, that you may not sin. But the people stood afar off and Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was. God was in the darkness.
We have the choice to flee away or draw near and embrace the test. Walk straight into the thick darkness for in so doing we walk into the arms of God and feel His presence as never before. He comes to test us so that His fear (reverence) will be in us, so that we may not sin. I never saw the rich meaning there before as just now. Oh that we would not flee the darkness for in it walks my Lord and my God. By embracing His call, I see His face. By walking in the dark I feel His hand. Learn His love and drink of His grace Though the darkness looks forboding and fearsome, in it you will come face to face with God. Oh, what the children of Israel missed when they chose to “stand afar off.” They missed learning of the sweetness of His presence that made Moses’ face shine with brightness as the sun when He came out of that cloud. How can one enter into thick darkness and yet come out shining as the sun? Though it looks dark, the test is to enter in, and in the center of the deepest darkness is the brightest light and there we truly learn of Him. The darkness truly is needful for it holds the presence of God Almighty and meeting Him you can never be the same again. For thousands will look on you and see a shining face, and know how great is our God.
We have the choice to flee away or draw near and embrace the test. Walk straight into the thick darkness for in so doing we walk into the arms of God and feel His presence as never before. He comes to test us so that His fear (reverence) will be in us, so that we may not sin. I never saw the rich meaning there before as just now. Oh that we would not flee the darkness for in it walks my Lord and my God. By embracing His call, I see His face. By walking in the dark I feel His hand. Learn His love and drink of His grace Though the darkness looks forboding and fearsome, in it you will come face to face with God. Oh, what the children of Israel missed when they chose to “stand afar off.” They missed learning of the sweetness of His presence that made Moses’ face shine with brightness as the sun when He came out of that cloud. How can one enter into thick darkness and yet come out shining as the sun? Though it looks dark, the test is to enter in, and in the center of the deepest darkness is the brightest light and there we truly learn of Him. The darkness truly is needful for it holds the presence of God Almighty and meeting Him you can never be the same again. For thousands will look on you and see a shining face, and know how great is our God.
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