A Kingdom That Can't Be Shaken
Hebrews 12:18-29 (NLT)
You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”
No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.
Reflection
Like many, my perception of God has been deeply shaped by the relationship I had with my dad. Seeing God through the lens of our fathers is a common thing that many of us do when we picture God as “father.” Tragically for me (and for many), that image was shaped through abuse.
The fear that defined my relationship with my dad created an image of God as an unnecessarily stern, punishing figure. I viewed Him as the same deity who left Moses “terrified and trembling.” God was a father whose primary role was to punish me for wrongdoing. Mercy was not a word I could equate with God. Fear, without love, shaped my faith. I vividly recall moments when I feared eternal damnation for simple acts like swearing. These thoughts plagued me, making me feel inadequate, leaving me to stumble through life, convinced I could never be good enough.
My relationship with God was built on fear alone, and I viewed each of the hardships I faced through the lens of God’s disappointing judgement on my life.
This unhealthy perception of God persisted until I turned 41. I am 46 now. That’s a significant chunk of life to miss out on understanding God’s grace.
Thankfully, I have been able to receive counseling which has been helping me see God in a new light. One where God’s love and grace is as much a part who God is as His righteousness and power. One where His love for me isn’t shaken by every bad circumstance that comes my way.
My view of God, much like Israel’s encounter with God at Sinai, was dominated by fear, perceiving God as unapproachable. However, God has invited us to Mount Zion, where we can experience His grace, mercy, and approachable presence.
Action Steps
If your relationship with God is based on an unhealthy fear, I strongly encourage you to seek guidance from your pastor. God is to be revered, honored, and feared (in the way fire is to be feared if not respected) but if that is devoid of an understanding of His love for you, your view of God may not be healthy. Make an effort to reach out to a pastor at your church so you can begin your journey of really understanding of who God is and His desire for you.
Prayer
God, I am tired of following You out of an unhealthy fear. Please show me what it truly means to understand Your grace, so I can experience Your mercy. Give me peace in my heart. Amen.
You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”
No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.
Reflection
Like many, my perception of God has been deeply shaped by the relationship I had with my dad. Seeing God through the lens of our fathers is a common thing that many of us do when we picture God as “father.” Tragically for me (and for many), that image was shaped through abuse.
The fear that defined my relationship with my dad created an image of God as an unnecessarily stern, punishing figure. I viewed Him as the same deity who left Moses “terrified and trembling.” God was a father whose primary role was to punish me for wrongdoing. Mercy was not a word I could equate with God. Fear, without love, shaped my faith. I vividly recall moments when I feared eternal damnation for simple acts like swearing. These thoughts plagued me, making me feel inadequate, leaving me to stumble through life, convinced I could never be good enough.
My relationship with God was built on fear alone, and I viewed each of the hardships I faced through the lens of God’s disappointing judgement on my life.
This unhealthy perception of God persisted until I turned 41. I am 46 now. That’s a significant chunk of life to miss out on understanding God’s grace.
Thankfully, I have been able to receive counseling which has been helping me see God in a new light. One where God’s love and grace is as much a part who God is as His righteousness and power. One where His love for me isn’t shaken by every bad circumstance that comes my way.
My view of God, much like Israel’s encounter with God at Sinai, was dominated by fear, perceiving God as unapproachable. However, God has invited us to Mount Zion, where we can experience His grace, mercy, and approachable presence.
Action Steps
If your relationship with God is based on an unhealthy fear, I strongly encourage you to seek guidance from your pastor. God is to be revered, honored, and feared (in the way fire is to be feared if not respected) but if that is devoid of an understanding of His love for you, your view of God may not be healthy. Make an effort to reach out to a pastor at your church so you can begin your journey of really understanding of who God is and His desire for you.
Prayer
God, I am tired of following You out of an unhealthy fear. Please show me what it truly means to understand Your grace, so I can experience Your mercy. Give me peace in my heart. Amen.
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