about the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “cornelius.” and he stared at him in terror and said, “what is it, Lord?” and he said to him, “your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. and now send men to joppa and bring one simon who is called peter. he is lodging with one simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” when the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to joppa.
[acts 10:3-8]
and he stared at him in terror
so this centurion, this man of repute, this leader of men, a man whom others fear, stared in terror at the angel of the Lord.
if this man of war was terrified, i think it’s safe to say any of us would be as well. how long has it been since you sat in the realization that our fearful, powerful, God is the one who came down in the form of a man, gentle and lowly? there is no whom we should fear more, and no one who loves us more. what an amazing thing—the God of infinite power and might and terror suffered to be humiliated and killed for our sake.
Lord, teach us to love and fear you more than the world. show us your glory, and embolden us to witness to your majesty and loving-kindness! we do not deserve you; thank you for saving us.
~ stephen hall