SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 10
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” [Luke 12:4-5]
As the crowds increase around Jesus, and the religious leaders become more angry, Jesus warns His disciples not to focus on the applause or the opposition, but on God.
Whether we are trying to impress people, or defend ourselves from them, our focus is off of God and on people.
We act as if their opinion or their power matters more than God’s.
We are respecting or fearing them more than God.

Moses has the same message.
As God renews His covenant with the people, and they prepare to move forward into Canaan on their mission from God, He reminds them that they serve Him.
He is their Master, He is the mighty and awesome One, the God over all gods and the Lord over all lords.
Don’t spend your time trying to impress others or defend yourselves against them.
Make God your primary audience, the audience of One.
Sure, the fortified cities in Canaan are strong and well-defended.
The people are big, the armies are strong.
The gods of the land have many followers who testify to their power and glory.
Sure, they can resist you, hurt you, even kill you.
But they can only harm the body, they cannot defeat you completely.
Compared to God, their power is limited, finite, restricted.
God is the only one that can ultimately establish or defeat you.

To fear God means to recognize God for Who He truly is.
He has ultimate power and knowledge, He is everywhere present.
No one can look at God without being destroyed, on the spot.
Think about the potential of nuclear energy, and magnify that eternally – no limit.
But more than power, He is also ultimate love and ultimate goodness – compassion, mercy, patience, forgiveness.
The prophet Isaiah states that “the LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, He is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread, and He will be a sanctuary” [Isaiah 8:13-14].
The right response is to fall on our knees in respect, and then draw close for sanctuary.
He is not safe, but He is good!

The bigger God is in our minds, the greater our confidence and boldness.
The more we consider God worthy, the less power other gods or fears or struggles will have.
As Paul says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” [Romans 8:31].

PRAYER:
Lord, You are awesome and mighty. You are bigger than anything else that I will face today. I choose to fear and drawn near to You!