Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin."
Do not fear....
It seems that the cure for all our everyday fears, worries, problems etc is to transfer that fear to a "fear of the Lord." In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul tells us: do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. A benefit of coming to God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, is now we have a Comforter in the Holy Spirit that will help us through any circumstance we may encounter. Jesus tells us: Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26
If you fear the Lord, have no fear. If you do not fear the Lord, then be afraid, be very afraid!
...for God has come to test you...
God has provided the remedy to our biggest problem! None of us can do anything to make ourselves right with God. We are to evil-minded and sinful to even be able to approach God. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, so that simply by faith in Him, we are made "right with God." This is why you should come to God, to show appreciation for the sacrifice of His own Son for your sins!
Don't think that simply by becoming a Christian than all of a sudden all of your problems will suddenly go away. As a matter of fact, they will most likely become worse, and new "problems" will arise! So this is a good thing you ask? Yes it is, James explains it like this: Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)
...that the fear of Him may be before you...
Godly fear, while it certainly does include an idea of terror, also has the idea of respect, reverence and piety. If we feel terrorized, it is because we are struck by the awesomeness of God. What is "belief" in God? What is faith? Pay close attention every time you see "fear of the Lord" used in the bible, and you will gain a pretty clear understanding. God allows us to be tested so that we learn to rely solely on Him, to fear Him.
...that you may not sin.
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (James 1:12-15)
Do not confuse tests with temptation. Tests are God's ways of growing us, making us stronger and stronger in the faith, in other words, making us fear Him more. When temptation to sin does come then, as it will because of our lusts, we are able to over come the temptation and not sin. We now have too much respect for the sacrifice that was paid. We have faith in Jesus. We fear the Lord!
