Wait patiently for the Lord to act (Psalm 37:7 NLT). Scripture tells us we are to live by faith not by sight. Why? Because the things that are visible are temporal – brief and fleeting – but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.
God has blessed us with the freedom of choice. We are free to choose our beliefs, our traditions, our way of life. However, when the Light, the glory of heaven, unfolds our sinfulness and its guilt is made evident by our emotional responses. Unfortunately, this response may not reveal a humble and contrite spirit. Instead, a heart prodding a response of fear or anger or of denial and rejection to what is beyond our ability to fully grasp, to understand and control.
When Moses’ face was seen radiating the glory of God, our natural visual perception, which has been so affected by pride and fear and error, resulted in a veil not only being placed over the face of Moses, but also over the heart of every troubled skeptic and scoffer, who place their faith in fear instead of the Fear of the Lord. Moses tried to assure the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning,” Exodus 20:20.
The fearfulness this world generates prevents people from experiencing what our eternal, immortal, invisible King, the only God desires to share with us – Love – unconditional love. God is Love! There is no fear in Love! In fact, perfect Love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. Fear brings with it the thought of judgment, of punishment. Those who fear have not been made perfect by Love (1 John 4:18 NKJV).
But God! He so loved the world He sent His one and only Son, and the ministry Jesus received is superior to the one Moses had received. The covenant of which Jesus is Mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises (Hebrews 8:6). Promises God bestows to us through His Word, Christ Jesus, Who rids us of that veil of spiritual ignorance and obtuseness so we can not only behold the glory of God, but boldly approach His throne of Love and Mercy and Grace. So the Fear of God – the awe of joyful and reverent worship for our Creator will truly be known by experience.
Jesus shares words of Truth, which God has spoken from the very beginning of time, so the splendor of the miraculous could dawn before the eyes of our heart, so heaven’s Light can work to eradicate everything stemming from deceit.
Truth, the Word of God, the Rock, our Refuge and High Tower, is our Safe Haven and Fortress of Protection against deception, against fear, against our very own pride-tainted heart.
It’s amazing the strength and control our feelings have over rational thought. Even when we’re told feelings are not facts. Our emotions have the power to deceive us into believing they possess the quality of being actual, of being genuine and true not speculative. Causing imbalanced stances to be taken, unwholesome opinions to be formed, and misleading beliefs to be adopted.
My husband and I were talking the other morning about a problem I’ve been experiencing due to chronic illness. There are times when I’m on my knees for one reason or another only to discover I don’t have the strength to get back up. I shared with him how scary it would be if he wasn’t around to help.
When we are in possession of the knowledge of God’s Word, we give ourselves permission to not only become familiar with the Lord and His ways, but to become involved in the most rewarding relationship a person will ever experience.
Yes, knowing the Word of God is essential, but elevating God’s words of Wisdom and Truth above the desires and dictates of our heart gives substance, tangibility to what is unseen: Faith, Hope, Joy, Peace, Love, Self-Control, Patience, Humility…
Humility gives us the strength and courage to grow and develop and reap to overflowing the goodness of God. Yes, life gives us many reasons to complain and doubt and even deny God’s goodness, but the Son rose over Sin and Fear and Death so He could daily help us to rise above our fears, our prideful tendencies and self-defeating attitudes, behaviors and beliefs.
Instead, open up! Open your eyes, your heart, your hands, your mind before God, keep nothing back. Commit everything you to do the Lord, for the glory of God. Trust Him, and He will help you and do this: He will make your righteousness and right standing with God go forth and shine like the dawn. Lean on and be confident in Him, and He will vindicate you so the justice of your cause shines like the noonday sun. Yes, be delighted with the Lord, and He will give you all the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4-6).
Embracing Stillness in God’s Presence
