"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Wednesday, 17 August 2016 with Scripture Hebrews 12:18-29

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Wednesday, 17 August 2016 with Scripture Hebrews 12:18-29

Hebrews 12:18 For you have not come to a tangible mountain, to an ignited fire, to darkness, to murk, to a whirlwind, 19 to the sound of a shofar, and to a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further message be given to them — 20 for they couldn’t bear what was being commanded them, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it is to be stoned to death”;[Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12–13] 21 and so terrifying was the sight that Moshe said, “I am quaking with dread.”[Hebrews 12:21 Deuteronomy 9:19]
22 On the contrary, you have come to Mount Tziyon, that is, the city of the living God, heavenly Yerushalayim; to myriads of angels in festive assembly; 23 to a community of the firstborn whose names have been recorded in heaven; to a Judge who is God of everyone; to spirits of righteous people who have been brought to the goal; 24 to the mediator of a new covenant, Yeshua; and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better things than that of Hevel.
25 See that you don’t reject the One speaking! For if those did not escape who rejected him when he gave divine warning on earth, think how much less we will escape if we turn away from him when he warns from heaven. 26 Even then, his voice shook the earth; but now, he has made this promise:
“One more time I will shake
not only the earth, but heaven too!”[Hebrews 12:26 Haggai 2:6, 21]
27 And this phrase, “one more time,” makes clear that the things shaken are removed, since they are created things, so that the things not shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we have received an unshakeable Kingdom, let us have grace, through which we may offer service that will please God, with reverence and fear. 29 For indeed,
“Our God is a consuming fire!”[Hebrews 12:29 Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3; Isaiah 33:14][Complete Jewish Bible
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The reading from Hebrews calls to mind the terrifying appearances of God on Mount Sinai. God arrived on the mountain wrapped in thunder and lightning. The earth shook. The people trembled and feared for their lives. "Do not let God speak to us," the people begged Moses, "or we will die" (Exodus 20:19).
This fierce and awesome God will speak and will be heard, the writer of the Hebrews declares. Refuse to listen at your own peril! The way God has spoken in later days is through God's son, specifically through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. Jesus has come to reveal to us God's fierce might and God's mercy. Jesus has come to show us what in the world will be shaken, and what will last. God's kingdom of mercy will last forever--and God invites us in! With thanksgiving we worship "with reverence and awe."
Almighty God, we praise you for your majesty and mercy. Teach us to worship with reverence and awe every time we come into the consuming fire of your holy presence. Amen.
Jeffrey Eisele, '16
Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, S.D. 
Hebrews 12:18 You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest,
19 and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them.
20 (For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death."
21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear.")
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven!
26 At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven."
27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe;
29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire.[New Revised Standard Version]
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