Joshua 4:23-24 – For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over… so that all the peoples of earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.
Lord God, at so many different times and in so many different ways you showed your might and power. You wanted your people, yes, you wanted all the nations of the earth, to know how great you really are. You wanted them to stand in awe at your power and might. For some, for the nations, this meant that they shook in their boots because of terror. For your people, even for me, you want me to see your mighty deeds and know how great you really are. You want me to stand back in awe and wonder; you want me to be amazed at how great and gracious you really are. These mighty acts show and remind me that you are truly on my side. You fight for me not with me. You are on my side and not against me. I pray, dear Lord, let your power and might, your greatness and your grace, inspire me to awe and wonder. Keep me from getting too comfortable with your might so that it stops inspiring me to live in awe and wonder. Forgive me for getting too accustomed to you so that I no longer live under your mighty hand. Keep me from this, dear Father in heaven. Instead, help me to stand back in awe and wonder so that I am not afraid and so that I live a life inspired by your greatness and grace for me. Amen.
What does God say about all these commandments?
He says, “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (Ex. 20: 5–6)
What does this mean? God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands. – Martin Luther.