Fear God, 217

 ~ The Conclusion of “Fear God” ~

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  ~  “Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!  There is no want to those who fear Him” (Psalm 34:9).

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name” (Malachi 3:16).

The Wisest of Advice  ~  The Book of Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books in the Bible.  Most scholars believe it was written by King Solomon, considered by many to the wisest man to have ever lived.  Ecclesiastes recaps all the ways this wealthy king tried to find happiness and satisfaction in life – all of which were of no avail.  Then he did find the answer and this is his summary statement near the end of the book: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  

King Solomon who lived a “full life” and experienced all that this world has to offer concluded that to fear God and keep His commandments was the only way to be truly successful and happy.

Comment  ~  You cannot fear God in the reverential sense without loving God.  The Scripture says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18a).

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 blog.

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Fear God, 216

 ~ Results of Fearing God ~

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.”  

Scripture Passage  ~  Proverbs gives us the essence of the “fear of the Lord.”  “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13)

Some Results of Fearing God  ~  While there is a long list of benefits that arrive from the fear of God I particularly like this verse:  “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.  Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing” (Psalm 34:6-9).

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name” (Malachi 3:16).

Application To Life  ~  When a person acknowledges the reality of who God is there are many natural results.  Here are a few: 

1.      Repentance (confessing asking forgiveness and turning away from continued sin).  See for example Matthew 9:13.  

2.      Seek to please God and He will give you the proper attitudes and desires.  See for example Psalm 37:4.

3.      New patience will be evident, what is sometimes referred to as “waiting on God.”  See for example see James 1:3-4.

4.      An alertness to temptation and pressures (both external and internal) to conform to this world.  See for example 1 Peter 5:8.

5.      There will be a willingness to persist in prayer.  See for example Luke 21:36.

6.      There will be His peace permeating your life.  See for example Isaiah 26:3 and Colossians 3:15.

7.      As all of the above becomes an increasing reality in your life you will be doing God’s will for your life.  See for example Ephesians 5:17. 

The Bottom Line  ~  “Praise the Lord!  Blessed [happy] is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments” (Psalm 112:1).

Closing Comment  ~  The Bible tells us that people in the past feared God and people in the future will fear God.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Fear God, 215

 ~ Lessons From Proverbs 21 ~

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  ~  “My son, if you receive my [wisdom] words [1], and treasure my commands within you [2], so that you incline your ear to wisdom [3], and apply your heart to understanding [4]; yes, if you cry out for discernment [5], and lift up your voice for understanding [6], if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures [7]; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.  Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path” (Proverbs 2:1-9).

Important Points  ~  There are a number of important points in this short passage including, but not limited to:

[1]  You cannot receive God’s Word if you are not reading and studying God’s written Word the Bible.

[2]  Allow the Word of God to penetrate your thinking, conscience, and action. 

[3]  Really listen to the wisdom from above. 

[4]  The goal is application.  How can you apply what you are learning?

[5]  Spend time alone with God in prayer seeking His guidance. 

[6]  Be specific in asking God for direction in specific situations you face.

[7]  Be observant of how God is directing and working. 

Summary  ~  Seek wisdom!  That is seek God’s face and His direction in all of your life’s activities.

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 blog.

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