DO NOT BE AFRAID / EXODUS 20:20

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Exodus 20:20

 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.

Fear vs. Reverence: Understanding Exodus 20:20

Imagine standing at the base of a mountain enveloped in thick smoke, the ground trembling beneath your feet, lightning flashing across the sky, and a trumpet blast growing louder by the second. This was the reality for the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The sights and sounds were so overwhelming that they backed away, terrified, retreating to the opposite side of the valley.

It is in this moment of intense, paralyzing dread that Moses steps forward with a message that sounds entirely contradictory:

“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.’

“ — Exodus 20:20

At first glance, Moses seems to be speaking in riddles. Do not be afraid, so that the fear of God will be with you? How can we be told not to fear, while simultaneously being told to cultivate fear?

The Two Faces of Fear

Moses is drawing a line between two completely different types of fear:

• Human Terror (Phobia): This is the fear that makes us back away, hide, or flee from God. It views God as a unpredictable tyrant waiting to strike. Moses explicitly tells the Israelites to reject this kind of fear. God does not want us paralyzed or running away from His presence.
• Godly Reverence (Awe): This is the “fear” God actually desires. It is a profound, breathtaking respect for His power, holiness, and sovereignty. It doesn’t drive us away; it pulls us into a posture of worship.

God displayed His jaw-dropping power at Mount Sinai not to scare His people away, but to reveal His true nature. He wanted them to realize exactly who was fighting for them, leading them, and covenanting with them.

A Boundary for Our Protection

Why did they need this godly reverence? Moses gives us the direct answer: to keep us from rebelling against Him.

When we lose our awe of God, sin becomes casual. We treat His commands as optional suggestions. But when we maintain a healthy, holy reverence for who He is, our perspective shifts. We realize that the Creator of the universe loves us enough to give us boundaries, and we choose obedience out of love and deep respect rather than a fear of rejection.

If you are facing a “Mount Sinai” moment in your life today—where circumstances feel overwhelming and fear tells you to back away—remember Moses’ words. Do not be afraid. The God who holds ultimate power is not trying to break you; He is inviting you to trust Him completely.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You in awe of Your mighty power and majestic holiness. Forgive us for the times we let human anxiety and terror drive us away from Your presence. Help us to hear Your voice saying, “Do not be afraid.”

Pour out Your Spirit upon us today and cultivate within our hearts a deep, godly reverence. Let a healthy awe of who You are protect our minds and guide our steps, keeping us close to You and far from rebellion. May our lives reflect a holy respect for Your boundaries and a joyful trust in Your perfect love.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

1. YOU SHALL NOT COVET / EXODUS 20:17
2. NOT GIVE FALSE TESTIMAONY / EXODUS 20:16
3. YOU SHALL NOT STEAL / EXODUS 20:15
4. YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY / EXODUS 20:14
5. YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER / EXODUS 20:13
6. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER / EXODUS 20:12
7. REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY / EXODUS 20:8
8. NOT MISUSE THE NAME OF THE LORD / EXODUS 20:7
9. THE CHILDREN / EXODUS 20:5
10. AN IDOL IN THE FORM OF ANYTHING / EXODUS 20:4
11. YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME / EXODUS 20:3
12. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS / EXODUS 20:1-17
13. AND GOD SPOKE ALL THESE WORDS / EXODUS 20:1
14. THUNDER AND LIGHTNING / EXODUS 19:16
15. A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS AND A HOLY NATION / EXODUS 19:6
16. IF YOU OBEY ME FULLY – MY TREASURED POSSESSION / EXODUS 19:5
17. I CARRIED YOU ON EAGLES’ WINGS / EXODUS 19:4
18. THE DESERT OF SINAI / EXODUS 19:1
19. SELECT CAPABLE MEN / EXODUS 18:21
20. NOW I KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GREATER / EXODUS 18:11
21. JETHRO RECEIVED HER / EXODUS 18:2-5
22. MOSES HELD UP HIS HANDS / EXODUS 17:11
23. JOSHUA / EXODUS 17:9
24. STRIKE THE ROCK / EXODUS 17:6
25. RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY / EXODUS 16:30
26. EACH MORNING / EXODUS 16:21
27. BREAD FROM HEAVEN – IN THIS WAY I WILL TEST THEM / EXODUS 16:4
28. GRUMBLED AGAINST MOSES / EXODUS 16:2
29. I AM THE LORD WHO HEALS YOU / EXODUS 15:26
30. PROPHETESS / EXODUS 15:20
31. THEN MOSES SANG THIS SONG / EXODUS 15:1-18
32. FEARED THE LORD AND PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM / EXODUS 14:31
33. THE WATER FLOWED BACK / EXODUS 14:28
34. THROUGH THE SEA ON DRY GROUND – A WALL OF WATER ON THEIR RIGHT AND ON THEIR LEFT / EXODUS 14:21-22
35. THE PILLAR OF CLOUD / EXODUS 14:19-20
36. THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU / EXODUS 14:14
37. A PILLAR OF CLOUD / EXODUS 13:21
38. NOTHING WITH YEAST IN IT IS TO BE SEEN / EXODUS 13:7
39. CONSECRATE TO ME EVERY FIRSTBORN MALE / EXODUS 13:1-2
40. WHAT DOES THIS CEREMONY MEAN TO YOU? / EXODUS 12:26-27
41. NO YEAST IS TO BE FOUND IN YOUR HOUSES / EXODUS 12:19
42. MUST BE CUT OFF FROM ISRAEL / EXODUS 12:15
43. MUST BE CUT OFF FROM ISRAEL / EXODUS 12:15
44. A LASTING ORDINANCE / EXODUS 12:14
45. YOUR CLOAK TUCKED INTO YOUR BELT YOUR SANDALS ON YOUR FEET / EXODUS 12:11
46. BITTER HERBS AND BREAD MADE WITHOUT YEAST / EXODUS 12:8
47. THEY ARE TO TAKE SOME OF THE BLOOD / EXODUS 12:7
48. THE FIRST MONTH OF YOUR YEAR / EXODUS 12:1-2
49. FIRSTBORN … WILL DIE / EXODUS 11:5
50. A FESTIVAL / EXODUS 10:9
51. YOU MAY TELL YOUR CHILDREN / EXODUS 10:1-2
52. I HAVE RAISED YOU UP FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE / EXODUS 9:15-16
53. LIVESTOCK OF THE EGYPTIANS / EXODUS 9:6
54. YOUR CATTLE / EXODUS 9:2-3
55. THIS IS THE FINGER OF GOD / EXODUS 8:18-19
56. FROGS / EXODUS 8:2
57. HE STRUCK THE WATER / EXODUS 7:20
58. IT BECAME A SNAKE / EXODUS 7:12
59. I WILL HARDEN PHARAOH’S HEART / EXODUS 7:3-4
60. THEY DID NOT LISTEN TO HIM / EXODUS 6:9
61. I WILL TAKE YOU AS MY OWN PEOPLE AND I WILL BE YOUR GOD / EXODUS 6:7
62. BY MY NAME THE LORD I DID NOT MAKE MYSELF KNOW TO THEM / EXODUS 6:3
63. YOU HAVE NOT RESCUED YOUR PEOPLE AT ALL / EXODUS 5:23
64. IS THIS WHY YOU SENT ME? / EXODUS 5:22
65. THIS IS WHAT THE LORD – THE GOD OF ISRAEL SAYS / EXODUS 5:1
66. THE LORD WAS ABOUT TO KILL HIM / EXODUS 4:24
67. ISRAEL MY FIRSTBORN / EXODUS 4:22
68. I WILL HARDEN HIS HEART / EXODUS 4:21
69. WHO MAKES HIM BLIND? / EXODUS 4:11
70. I AM SLOW OF SPEECH / EXODUS 4:10
71. STAFF … BECAME A SNAKE / EXODUS 4:2-3
72. ASK … PLUNDER THE EGYPTIANS / EXODUS 3:22
73. I AM WHO I AM / EXODUS 3:14
74. I WILL BE WITH YOU / EXODUS 3:12
75. MILK AND HONEY / EXODUS 3:8
76. SEEN THE MISERY OF MY PEOPLE / EXODUS 3:7
77. HOLY GROUND / EXODUS 3:5
78. THE ANGEL OF THE LORD / EXODUS 3:2
79. MOSES WAS TENDING THE FLOCK / EXODUS 3:1
80. THEIR CRY WENT UP TO GOD / EXODUS 2:23
81. MIDIAN / EXODUS 2:15
82. KILLED THE EGYPTIAN / EXODUS 2:12
83. MOSES / EXODUS 2:11
84. HEBREW BABIES / EXODUS 2:6
85. A SON / EXODUS 2:1-2
86. SLAVE MASTERS OVER THEM TO OPPRESS THEM / EXODUS 1:11
87. WHO DID NOT KNOW ABOUT JOSEPH / EXODUS 1:8
88. MULTIPLIED GREATLEY / EXODUS 1:6-7
89. THE SONS OF ISRAEL / EXODUS 1:1-5
90. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace