Contemplative Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 26:8 (English Standard Version)

8 And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders.

There are times when God is terrifying. God appears in works of terror.

Terror is a harsh word. I don’t recall times in my life when I was terrified. Thank you God for that blessing. Such is not the case for all persons at all times. There have been times in the last several thousand years when terror was common for some persons in some places.

Still, God can bring terror for God’s purposes.

I live in one of the richest places in the richest country in the history of mankind. It sure is comfortable here in this air conditioned Starbucks with persons waiting on me, hot coffee in a cup in my hand, a super duper computer searching all the knowledge of the world at my fingertips, and I could go on and on with how good this is. Terror? God? Surely, we jest. No, we don’t.

Please God, let me never forget the terror you can bring. Let me never stop giving thanks for being spared that terror up to this moment in my short life.