Our pastor reminded us Sunday that our only purpose, the one most important purpose is fruit for God. We must be all about sharing Christ with a needy world, "the peoples". The urgency of that great purpose is expressed throughout scripture in so many ways from beginning to the end. God's purpose for Israel was always to live out His character and represent Him to a world in need. They were to bring to the lost the message of His great love.
The book of Esther, though there is no mention of God, is clearly a book that shouts His sovereign purpose. In chapter eight of the book, there is much rejoicing among the Jews living in Susa because of the reversal of the the King's edict to annihilate them. But through fasting and prayer, came deliverance. (And we know that prayer was to God and deliverance came from God.) The resulting effect: "And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them."
In Joshua 2:8-14, Rahab, an unbeliever, declares, "...the fear of you has fallen upon us..." She knew how her people viewed God's people and she sought sanctuary with this people of God. And begged for the salvation of her family as well. And in Matthew, Rahab is mentioned in the lineage of the Savior. When God saves, He changes the inward man and uses Him to further that purpose.
In Exodus 15:13-18, we hear Moses and the people of Israel sing praise to God after His remarkable deliverance. "Who is like you, O LORD...? You led in steadfast love the people whom You have redeemed; You guided them by Your strength to Your holy abode. The peoples have heard; they tremble... the chiefs are dismayed...trembling seizes the leaders...all the inhabitants have melted away...terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of Your arm, they are still as a stone till Your people, O LORD, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased."
As Christians, our purpose is to live lives that are living testimonies of the One true God. May we study to show ourselves approved, workmen that are not ashamed. May our redeemed state cause guilt and fear to weary souls in need of true peace that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. May "the peoples" hear and declare themselves to a merciful God Who is ready to save them. The "fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom".
