Posts Tagged ‘fear of the Lord’

Scripture reading for January 26: Exodus 19-20

God carried the whole nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt with a display of His power in the plagues.  The Israelites were protected and experienced God’s deliverance as they walked out of Egypt, laden down with silver and gold and other valuables.  God’s presence guided them in the pillar of fire and in the cloud.  God provided miraculously for them again and again in sending the manna and quail and then providing water from the rock.  These children understood the mercy of God, but did not fear Him!  This holy fear is a foundation for wisdom.  (Proverbs 1:7)

God led the children of Israel to Mt. Sinai where He gave instructions through Moses to the people.  They were to refrain from sexual relations, wash their clothes, and consecrate themselves to prepare to hear God’s voice speaking to them.  (Exodus 19:10-16)  On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud, and a loud trumpet blast.  When the trumpet sounded, everyone in the camp trembled with fear!  (Exodus 20:18-19)  The people begged Moses to speak to them, but did not want God to speak for they feared they might die!  Why would God bring these special people out of slavery to do this to them?

God’s stated purpose was to instill in them the “fear of God to keep them from sinning.” (Exodus 20:20)   The ten commandments that Moses received revealed sin in the heart of man.  They are the mirror for our soul showing our guilt of breaking His law.  They cannot save us from the penalty but drive us to God for mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ.

As you read Exodus 20:1-17 today, ask the Lord to reveal his holiness to you and open your eyes to your need for holy fear.  Look at each commandment and see how these commands help us to love God and love our neighbor.  If you are breaking any of them, take time and confess with repentance.  Thank God that Jesus Christ fully kept God’s law and that His righteousness is now ours by faith!

“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.  God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20

Scripture reading for June 14th:  Acts 9:26-43

God’s Kingdom is always in conflict with the kingdoms of this world and of the devil.  We are told to stand in the full armor of God in this conflict.  But even in conflict, God grants times of peace where He also works in the hearts of men to bring about His purposes.

“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace.  It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” (Acts 9:31)  After Saul was converted, the wave of persecution caused by his misguided zeal subsided and a time of peace settled over the church.  The Holy Spirit strengthened and encouraged the believers.  The Father’s gift was invaluable in each of these new disciples.  They found boldness and power to share the Gospel and see the church grow in numbers.  Their proper respect for God, the fear of the Lord, helped them to stay focused and living holy lives.

In this atmosphere, Peter traveled about the countryside ministering to the saints.  He visited Lydda and there was used to heal a man who was bed-ridden for eight years.  This miracle brought many new believers into the church there.

In Joppa, a disciple named Tatitha who was a faithful worker in the church became ill and died.  The church sent two men to find Peter who was near there.  Peter came and found a number of widows mourning Tabitha’s passing.  Peter knelt down by the bed where her body was laid and spoke to her, “Tabitha, get up.”  She immediately opened her eyes and they helped her up.  This miracle brought many others to faith in the region around Joppa!

Good news travels fast and God promised to confirm His word with signs and miracles.  This early church did not just sit around during the time of peace, but continued in faith and good works.  Their lives were marked by expectation of God’s supernatural power and intervention.  They were sharing their faith with those outside and seeing people come to faith!  They lived in the fear of the Lord and holiness brought God’s presence.   May your life and church family be marked by a time of peace like this one!

Scripture reading for July 27th: Isaiah 31-35

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the Lord. Yet He too is wise and can bring disaster, He does not take back His words.  He will rise up against the house of the wicked, against those who help evildoers.  But the Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, he who helps will stumble, he who is helped will fall; both will perish together.“  Isaiah 31:1-3

Our city, state and nation are obsessed with gambling.  Our state governor and elected officials are constantly trying to find a way to institute more revenue through gambling.  The state horse racing industry is lobbying hard to add gambling casinos to the racetracks in hopes of snaring more money and preying on those with gambling addictions.  I have been in Kentucky for eight years, and this issue has come up every year.  Oh that the words of God recorded in the prophet Isaiah’s writing would be heard!

Now I know that Isaiah wasn’t writing about gambling.  He wasn’t writing about horse racing either.  He was writing to God’s people who had a tendency to trust in man and man’s ways rather than in the Lord and His ways.  It was a problem in Isaiah’s day and is still a problem today.  Trusting in man and horse-power is folly.  Man and horses are flesh.  The flesh profits us nothing; it is the Spirit that will bring life and peace.  (Romans 8:6-8)  Isaiah went on to tell the people what the real key to all that they needed was.  If they would just fear the Lord, they would have all the treasures of security, righteousness, justice, wisdom and knowledge.  (Isaiah 33:5-6)

If you want a real tip for a winning ticket for life, don’t bet on the horses!  Fear the Lord and humbly trust in Him and He will bless you with all your heart desires and far more!

“The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.  He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:5-6

Scripture reading for July 20th: Isaiah 9-12

Isaiah lived over 700 years before the coming of Jesus Christ.  He was an ordinary man who was by grace chosen to see the Lord in a glorious vision.  He humbled himself and responded to God’s call to go and become a prophet.  As he lived his life and shared from his heart and relationship with the Lord, God used him to give prophetic pictures of His Son, Jesus Christ.  These pictures encourage us today and inspire faith and trust!

After speaking of a virgin giving birth to a son who would be called “Immanuel”, God with us, Isaiah continued to write about this coming one.  (Isaiah 7:14)  He himself had two sons who were given prophetic names that spoke to the future of the nation of Israel.   He told that the nation would go into captivity but that God would bring back a remnant.  The people were caught up in conspiracy theories and were tormented by fears.  Isaiah warned them that the Lord was the only one to fear!  (Isaiah 8:12-14)  The Lord himself would be a stone to cause the nation to stumble and a rock that would make them fall.  Seven Hundred years later, Jesus was that stumbling stone to the nation of Israel.

The coming child who would be born would honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by way of the sea, along the Jordan River.  He would show God’s light to those living in darkness there.  (Isaiah 9:1-2)  He would carry the government on his shoulders.  This child’s names signified that He would be special.  His names would be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!  His government would be one of peace and from everlasting to everlasting.  He would also reign on David’s throne, establishing it in justice and righteousness.  (Isaiah 9:6-7)  God’s own zeal would accomplish this!  These scriptures all speak of Jesus Christ who lived and ministered in Galilee.  He did great miracles and mighty works there, bringing light to the Gentiles.  He is the fulfillment of the names given by Isaiah through the Holy Spirit!

In chapter 11, Isaiah speaks again of Jesus.  He talks of a shoot coming from the stump of Jesse that will become a Branch that would bear fruit.  After the judgment that Isaiah spoke of, the nation would resemble a stump.  God would have a remnant that would bring His Son to fulfill His purposes!  God would place His Spirit on this Branch.  It would be a Spirit of wisdom and understanding,  a Spirit of counsel and power, and a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.  (Isaiah 11:1-3)  He would delight in the fear of the Lord!  Jesus Christ fits this description perfectly!  He was wisdom and knowledge personified!  He had wise counsel and power to heal, save and deliver!  He knew all things and taught with authority!  He delighted in the fear of the Lord in that He only did what His Father showed Him to do and always did that which pleased His Father!

There is so much more in these chapters today!  Read and enjoy and rejoice in God’s faithfulness to fulfill His Word!

Scripture reading for July 4th: Proverbs 1-4

I have personally read Proverbs dozens of times over the last thirty years.  For many years I read the entire book of Proverbs each month as a daily discipline.  For the past 8 years, I have read the chapter of  Proverbs for that day at the bi-weekly men’s accountability breakfast that I am a part of.  Even though I have read or heard Proverbs many times, I am still impressed at how they speak freshly to us about our daily lives.  Wisdom is a bubbling brook!

Hearing and listening can be two different things.  Almost everyone can hear what is being said but listening in order to learn and apply truth is a different process requiring humility and a teachable spirit.  As we begin the book of Proverbs, take a moment to check your hearing and listening abilities.  Put your mind in a learning mode.  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you new insights about successful living and decision making as well as who God is.

Solomon is the author of many of the proverbs.  He was David’s son through his wife Bathsheba.  Solomon was visited by God and given an opportunity to ask for anything he desired.  He asked for wisdom to rule God’s people.  God was pleased and the proverbs are some of the written record of the wisdom God blessed Solomon with.  Solomon wanted to pass that wisdom on to his sons.  These early chapters talk about the benefits of wisdom and how it may be found.  The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.  (Proverbs 1:7)  There are those who either don’t want wisdom or are so enthralled with their own way that Solomon gives them names.  Simple, fool, and mocker are the three names of those who refuse to listen and learn!  (Proverbs 1:7, 22)  Thankfully, those names are not descriptive of any of us!

Listening to wisdom has many blessings.  It brings knowledge and discretion to the young as well as guidance.  (Proverbs 1:4-5)  It brings safety to those who listen and they have rest and no fear of harm.  (Proverbs 1:33)  A person who listens to wisdom understands the fear of the Lord and finds knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:5)  Your soul will find joy and you will rest in God’s protection.  You will be kept safe from wicked men who are on crooked paths leading to destruction.  (Proverbs 2:12-15)   You will also avoid the adulterous woman and her path that leads to death. (Proverbs 2:16-19)  Listening and keeping wisdom brings long life and prosperity.  (Proverbs 3:2)  Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her and they will be richly blessed!  (Proverbs 3:18)

Wisdom is to be prized above any other treasure.  (Proverbs 3:13-15)  We must lay hold of wisdom by taking hold of the words given by the Father.  (Proverbs 4:1-5)  We must prize it and faithfully esteem wisdom.  We must hold onto instructions of wisdom and guard them.  Wisdom is our life and health to our whole body!  (Proverbs 4:22)  Wisdom is to reside in our heart! (Proverbs 4:23)  Wisdom sounds a lot like Jesus Christ, in whom is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! (Colossians 2:2-3)

Scripture reading for June 26th: Psalms 111-118

We all want the best for our children!  As a parent, I will sacrifice for my children that they might fulfill their destiny and become great in the Lord and honor Him.  I will do whatever it takes to provide for them, protect them, and instruct them to fulfill their God-given purpose!  The readings for today give us the secret of how to secure the blessing of God on our children and see them become ‘mighty in the land’! (Psalm 112:2)

Psalm 111 praises the Lord for His faithfulness and mighty deeds and works on behalf of those who fear and honor Him.  God has been gracious and compassionate on those who fear Him.  He has provided food for them and kept His covenant! (Psalm 111:4-5)  He has given them the land of other nations and shown His great power to His people!  (Psalm 111:6)  God has provided redemption for His people and given them His holy and awesome name! (Psalm 111:9) These wonderful blessing from God’s gracious character brings a holy fear and respect which is the beginning of all wisdom.  Knowing how to live life successfully and having wise understanding flows from the fear of the Lord!

Psalm 112 continues in this same vein of thought.  The fear of the Lord is the key to blessing of our offspring!  When a man fears the Lord, he finds great delight in God’s Word and commands!  He reads and meditates on the Word of God and applies it to his life.  The application of truth because of respect and honor for the giver of that truth brings prosperity and success! (Joshua 1:8-9)  (Psalm 112:1-3)  God’s blessing is on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers.  His face is set against the wicked who do not fear Him and depart from evil!  God longs to bless His children and make them mighty in the land.  They are made mighty to be a testimony of the goodness and favor on those who fear and respect the One in supreme authority!

Those who fear the Lord will have light even in darkness!  Remember the children of Israel had light during the plague of darkness! (Exodus 10:21-23)  Those who fear the Lord are generous and give.  They conduct their affairs with justice, doing what is fair and right in the sight of God because they fear and respect Him.  Because of this, they will never be shaken! (Psalm 112:5-6)  They will have no fear of bad news of enemy attack, war, or economic downturn!  Why?  They are secure in their faith and trust in the Lord, whom they fear and honor!  He has promised them victory over their enemies! (Psalm 112:8-10)  In the end, the wicked will waste away and come to nothing!  Those who trust in the Lord and fear Him will lack nothing!

The bottom line is that the fear of the Lord in my life and yours, if active and visible, will insure a destiny for our children.  We must live it out daily, not just on Sunday mornings!  It is a way of living and part of the power given us in the Holy Spirit!  Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit today!

Scripture reading for January 24: Exodus 19-20

Have you ever been afraid of God?  God carried the whole nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt with a display of His power in the plagues.  The Israelites were protected and experienced God’s deliverance as they walked out of Egypt, laden down with silver and gold and other valuables.  God’s presence guided them in the Pillar of Fire and in the Cloud.  God was in their midst and provided miraculously for them again and again in sending the manna and quail and then providing water from the Rock.  These children understood the mercy of God, but the fear of God was not what it needed to be!  This holy fear or respect is a foundation for wisdom and life.  (Proverbs 1:7)

God led the children of Israel to Mt. Sinai where He gave instructions through Moses to the people.  They were to refrain from sexual relations, wash their clothes, and consecrate themselves to hear God’s voice speaking to them.  (Exodus 19:10-16)  On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud, and a loud trumpet blast.  When the trumpet sounded, everyone in the camp trembled with fear!  (Exodus 20:18-19)  The people begged Moses to speak to them, but did not want God to speak for they feared death if they heard Him speaking!  This must have been a very fearful encounter with God.  Fire and smoke, clouds, thunder and lightning, and a very loud trumpet created a atmosphere where people felt uncomfortable and under conviction.  Why would God bring these special people out of slavery to do this to them?

God’s stated purpose was to instill in them the “fear of God to keep them from sinning.” (Exodus 20:20)  He wanted them to have 20:20 vision and understanding that sin brings death.  God’s Word is holy and forever settled in Heaven.  It cannot fail or be changed!  (Matthew 24:35) The ten commandments that Moses received revealed sin in the heart of man.  They are the mirror of our soul showing our need of mercy and forgiveness.  They drive us to God for mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is only by grace that we are saved from the penalty of sin. (Ephesians 2:8-10) Our own efforts cannot keep the law because sin is ingrained in us through Adam. (Romans 5:12-14) When we understand that God’s holy Word is truth, we can repent and be forgiven.

As you read Exodus 20:1-17 today, ask the Lord to reveal his holiness to you and open your eyes to your need for holy fear.  Look at each commandment and see how these commands help us to love God and love our neighbor.  If you are breaking any of them, take time and confess with repentance.  This is the only way to perfect vision!  May you see clearly today and each day till you see Him face to face!

“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.  God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20