When we read in Scripture of the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, we read how the people were warned not to get too close to God or they would die. I don't know about you, but I take that as a pretty serious warning!  Stepping out of bounds regarding God is perilous, pure and simple. It would behoove each of us who call ourselves Christian and (in these perilous times -AMERICANS) to really understand the balance of not being afraid with the need to fear God.  To fail to do so leaves us wanting in our understanding of God's incredible power.

     In our country today and around the world, it doesn't take a long discerning look to see that The Master and Creator of the universe and Judge of the whole world has become demoted to being the god of the religion of extreme tolerance. To say "God loves you" has come to mean that God accepts you regardless of your behavior - a very different view from the One Who commanded such strict lifestyle standards through Moses.
 
    There are those who believe and teach that the 'Old Testament' is merely a 'testament' of God's anger.  They believe and teach that through the 'New Covenant', sealed by the precious blood of His Son Yeshua, that His anger is diminished and He has become a calmer, kinder, gentler... more 'tolerant' god.   

    The fact is: The God of the Old Covenant and The God of the New Covenant is the same.  Yeshua is God.  He said He and The Father are one.  In Hebrews it's written:  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings..." Heb 13:8-9, 

    Using common sense as the balance to weigh truth and error, it doesn't take a great deal of contemplation to understand that our Heavenly Father is still the same 'awesome frightening' God Whose voice shook heaven and earth causing an entire people to cower in fear of their lives and elect just one of their number to go and face Him.  The fact remains, as it was then, so it is today:  God can be very awesome and frightening. He is the greatest power in the universe. His power is infinite, without limit, yet our tendency is to approach Him and treat Him on terms of our own creation, not by the terms He laid out in His instructions to us. I would urge everyone reading this to come to grips with this fact --The Creator of the Universe, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is not to be approached on man's terms ... ever.  To do so is to travel the same dangerous road our ancestors traveled.  Scripture is replete with examples of the 'cause and effect' of that folly.  Approach Him on our terms and be punished on His terms ... cause and effect.   As He demonstrated through Moses, The Great I AM is to be obeyed, and obeyed on His terms alone.
     

     So do we, like our ancestors at Mt. Sinai, cower in fear and appoint one to stand up for us?  It appears that Hashem has already chosen that One, just as He chose Moses and said He would raise up another for us.  He knew, even at Mt. Sinai, that a Way would be needed to be fully restored to a right and proper relationship with Him.  Through faith in His Son Yeshua and the indescribable sacrifice He made for us, we are made fit to draw near to this awesome, infinitely powerful God, on His terms laid down before the creation of the earth.

     The God we approach is the same God Moses approached at Sinai, and He still requires that we approach Him on His terms alone - through His faithful Son. To neglect that simple truth and disregard the 'term' carries nothing short of eternal consequences. As both the Old and New Covenant writings attest, "our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29; Deuteronomy 4:24).

    But as always, you decide. 

    Until He comes, keep your heads down, your faith high and your powder dry.

    Ran Alan Ricard

    For the Patrol

    Ran Alan Ricard is a two-tour Vietnam Veteran who also spent twenty-seven years on the Police Force.  He has been married for 26 years to his beloved bride and best friend, Brenda. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren and presently live in North Port, Florida. Ran is a motorcycle enthusiast, a talented voice-over artist, plus an engaging and funny freelance writer.

    Ran began his walk of salvation at an early age in a Southern Baptist church on the Wind River Indian Reservation in central Wyoming. He and Brenda embraced their Messianic faith in the late 90's. He is one of the voices herd in the recorded books of Key of David Publishing.