Fear God, 49

~ Fear God As The Creator of All ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.  Glory and honour are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place.  Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.  Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.  Fear before Him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.  Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth” (1 Chronicles 16:26-31, KJV).

“Shout Bravo! to God, families of the peoples, in awe of the Glory, in awe of the Strength: Bravo! Shout Bravo! to His famous Name, lift high an offering and enter His presence!  Stand resplendent in his robes of holiness!  God is serious business, take Him seriously; He’s put the earth in place and it’s not moving.  So let heaven rejoice, let earth be jubilant, and pass the word among the nations, ‘God reigns!’ Let Ocean, all teeming with life, bellow, let Field and all its creatures shake the rafters; then the trees in the forest will add their applause to all who are pleased and present before God — He’s on His way to set things right! (1 Chronicles 16:28-33, The Message).

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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