Leviticus 15; Psalm 18; Proverbs 29; 2 Thessalonians 3

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.” Proverbs 29:25 NLT

Sometimes I get too wrapped up in what I think other people are thinking that I get stuck. I start to wonder if I really heard from God or, “Was I just making that up?” Because the devil wants nothing more than for me to be bogged down in the trap of laying idle.(2 Thess. 3:11 NLT ) Inmefective, gathering dust…just like my paint brushes. I recently entered an art contest for a ministry called Hope Heals.  They are having an art auction to help disabled families come to their camp. Whether my piece gets picked or not, it gives me a purpose to pick up my paint brush again.  To complete a task and watch God weave something beautiful from my own pain. I am reminded that God is always doing a new thing in my life. He wants me to remember his faithfulness and be obedient to what he would have me do next.

“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 NLT

As I reflect on everything he has done in my life, I am thankful that he doesn’t let me stay where I am. He is constantly calling me onward into a deeper understanding of Him.

“He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me…He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.” Psalm 18:17&19 NLT

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.” Psalm 18:30-33 NLT 

“I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” Psalm 18:1&2 NLT

Dear Father, I praise you for who you are. That you delight in me, in me! Help me to get that past my mind and into my heart. I am so grateful for the hope I find in you. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

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Gen. 11; Matt. 10; Ezra 10; Acts 10

MATTHEW 10:28-31 ~ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?  And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

APPLICATION

Fearing God…  So much of our Christian culture defies the very substance of that notion.  Our God (especially the American version) becomes that which is comfortable, convenient and cozy instead of that which is reverent, eminent, and awe inspiring. 

Great masses of people throughout the world (including myself sometimes) typically take one of only a few attitudes towards the Fear of God.  A small number just ignore the essence of it altogether because they don’t understand it and they’re unable to resolve it in light of passages that speak of a compassionate loving God that you would run to for protection instead of fearing. 

And there’s another group of people (of greater numbers, I believe) that simply place the essence of this concept in a small convenient box just so that they can explain it away without further thought or effort.  This group I think is the most dangerous and disillusioned of them all and probably the attitude we all find ourselves drifting into far too often.  This group typically would claim that we fear God because He has the strength to destroy us.  I call this the Bill Cosby “I brought you into this world…and I can take you out!” syndrome.  It fits, it works and it allows us to keep reading our daily scripture assignment without a second thought.  The interesting thing about this is that the problem is not that this idea isn’t necessarily true, because it is.  The problem comes within its simplicity.

It’s of my opinion that the English language is sometimes notoriously incapable of truly expressing the intent of terminology.  Our definitions of “the fear of God” (at least the common ones) are insufficient and far too small to capture how our attitude should resemble the true meaning.  Our fear of God should find its foundation in the infinite level of reverence we have for Him.  It should be the power of our prayer, supply of our service, the focus of our faith, the strength of our salvation and the willingness of our worship.

• Our prayers have power because of His choosing of us to be able to come near to Him.
• Our service should find an endless well from which to pour from.
• Our faith should be sharply focused on Him because His attribution demands it.
• Our salvation is made unbreakable because of His pre-eminence over eternity.
• Our worship should be the overflow of a heart wrecked under His mercy. 

To sift it down to its core…His very being deserves knee trembling heart pounding awe inspired honor any time we consider the possibility of even being within His presence…let alone being His child.

~ Dave