Tag: Fear God

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Peace on Earth

Daily Reading

Luke 2-3

Daily Thought

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not…” ~Luke 2:8-10 

The angels said, “Fear not,” not because they are not terrifying. They are! And not because we should not fear them. We should. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” said Solomon the wisest (Proverbs 9:10). Fear is not merely respect, but appreciation, a terrifying appreciation of God’s overwhelming majesty, his awesome power, and something even more, his wonderful goodness–and how much we fall short, how much we are outside, even at war, with his goodness. We rightfully fear the fulness of God’s majesty, his power, his justice, and his goodness, so, Jesus comes in humility to a little town of Bethlehem, to a manger, to shepherds in a field.

The angel of the Lord said, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12).  God chose shepherds in the field, not kings in their palace, because kings would consider it their due. Shepherds have no illusions to their own power or majesty or position. It is only in humility that a baby in a manger will be recognized as Savior of the world. God chooses shepherds to show us the Savior.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ~Luke 2:13-14

Peace is not something found in this world, it finds us from heaven. This is the beauty of Christmas, God finding favor in shepherds and an unwed mother and her husband-to-be and wise men from the east who kneel before their Savior. Peace comes when you fear God, and nothing else. 

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, like King David, I am amazed that you pay attention to me. That You would come to us, not in Your majesty, but in humility. I did not find You because I look in the wrong places, not Bethlehem, not a manger, so You found me in humility. You brought me to my knees and I would stay there, but You lifted me up and now I stand before You and for You. 

Thank You for the peace that passes any earthly understanding. I look forward to that day when You come again in full majesty, and peace returns to its eternal place in this world. I love You, Jesus. 

Amen

Daily Question

Do you fear God? Should you? What does it mean: to fear God?

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That’s Just Stupid

Daily Reading

Proverbs 19-21

Daily Thought

Proverbs speaks highly of this thing called the fear of the Lord: “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7). It persists throughout the book and is always a good thing, “the fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied” (Proverbs 19:23). Fear seems oddly out of place when we think of our God, full of love and grace and goodness. Why would we be told to fear? Good question, but try turning it around. Picture the guy standing tall and boasting, “I don’t fear God.” Well, that’s just stupid.

I remember December 1973, when Dad entrusted me with the keys to his brown 1963 Ford Galaxie. I loved that car! I was young, 16, and did not have a proper appreciation of two tons of steel and power and speed. And I drove like it. Now jump forward to July 2004, as I hand Abby, my first child, the keys to the family Suburban. As I put them in her hand, I feel the size, the weight, the speed, and the power. I understand, more than ever before, how fear can be a good thing. I hope she has some–it is where wisdom blossoms.

Peter had answered rightly, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:16-19).

The church has the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Our Father hands us the keys to his Kingdom. Consider the size and the weight and the power in our possession. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Daily Prayer

Great and awesome God, Almighty and Everlasting, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. That You even think about me is amazing, that You have saved me, adopted me into Your family, that I share in the inheritance of Your riches, that Your Holy Spirit has taken residence in me, that I am a child of God, welcomed to Your presence, forever a citizen of Your Kingdom. Wow. Thank You. I worship You. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.

May my life reflect Your glory.

Amen

Daily Question

What does it mean to fear God? Should you fear God? Do You?