📖 Exodus 20:20 (NIV) “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.’” 🌿 Background This verse happens after God gives the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. The Israelites had just seen thunder, lightning, smoke, and heard God’s voice. They were afraid and stood far away because God’s presence felt powerful and overwhelming. Moses then comforts them and explains why God appeared to them. ✨ Meaning of the verse 1. “Do not be afraid” Moses tells the people not to run away from God because of fear. There is a difference between: Being afraid of God → feeling scared that He will harm you. Having fear of God → respecting, honouring, and recognising His greatness. God did not show His power to destroy them, but to show them who He is. Lesson: God wants us to come closer to Him, not hide from Him. 2. “God has come to test you” This does not mean God was trying to trick them. The “test” was to reveal: whether they would trust Him, whether they would obey His commands, whether their hearts truly wanted to follow Him. God sometimes allows moments in our lives that test our faith, not because He wants us to fail, but because He wants us to grow. Lesson: Difficult moments can strengthen our relationship with God. 3. “So that the fear of God will be with you” The fear of God means: respect for God, love for God, understanding that His ways are higher than ours. When we truly respect God, we want to make choices that honour Him. Example: A person who loves God chooses honesty even when nobody is watching. 4. “To keep you from sinning” God’s commandments were not meant to ruin people’s freedom. They were given to protect them. Like a parent gives rules to protect a child, God gives instructions because He loves His people. Lesson: Obedience to God helps us avoid things that can hurt us and others. 💭 What can we learn today? ✅ God’s power should not push us away from Him; it should draw us closer. ✅ Respect for God helps us make better choices. ✅ God’s rules come from love, not control. ✅ Faith is built when we trust God even during challenging times. 🙏 Reflection questions Do I see God as someone I should run away from or someone I can trust? What areas of my life is God asking me to obey Him in? How can I show more respect for God this week? Short summary: Exodus 20:20 teaches us that God’s power is not meant to make us hopelessly afraid. He wants us to respect Him, trust Him, and follow His ways because His commands protect and guide us.