Daily Devotional for Monday, August 15

Fear at Sinai

God never changes, and He is the same today as He has been from eternity past. Yet, many like to create some artificial dividing line between the God of Moses and the Law, and what some call the God of the New Testament. Usually, the comparison is not very favorable. You may think the Old Testament God is harsh and cruel, and the New Testament God is full of love and grace. 

What has changed is the way in which God has dealt with His children. This should make sense to you, as you do not deal with your toddler children in the same way as you do your adult children; or at least you should not. 

God’s children on Mount Sinai were toddlers. They had been living in Egyptian bondage for some centuries, and their knowledge of the one true God was somewhat limited. Their ability to even understand God was quite limited. They were rather like a child who might be made to understand running into the street is a bad idea but would not understand exactly why it is a poor idea. A firm quick hand would be appropriate for that toddler, but a teenager can engage in a discussion regarding the issue. 

God first had to help his people understand just who He was; He was simple, more direct and perhaps stern in His communication. Today, you have the entirety of His revealed Word, and He should be able to deal with you as a teenager or an adult. Can He?

JUST A THOUGHT: God took centuries to make His people understand His role as the sovereign God; have you forgotten that?

Wally Fry