“furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:3-6 HCSB
“Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.”
Proverbs 3:7-8 HCSB
“work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Phillipians 2:12b HCSB
We are to fear God, but not in the same way that we’re terrorized by nightmares or evil people who harm others.
Instead, we “fear” Him with an awe and respect for His power, His presence, and His purposeful plan.
He alone sustains us and knows us intimately better than we know ourselves. He knew us before we were born and will be with us through eternity.
God wants a close relationship with each of us and gives us guidelines to keep us safe.
At times, we focus more on His grace and forgiveness. Once we’ve given our hearts to Him in Jesus’s name, we cannot lose our salvation. However, we can fall out of relationship with Him and lose our way like the prodigal son.
But when we live in awe and respect for Him, we see Him as a loving all-knowing parent who only wants what’s best for us. We become more willing to follow the guidelines He has established for us in the Bible, through the life and death of Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudging in our lives.
Let’s faithfully fear the Lord and His fierce love for us by following His plan and sharing His love with others.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for Your ever-present love in our lives. You have told us in Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” Thank You for calling us close to You and guiding us through this life. Please help us to see You as our Father who deserves our awe and respect and open our eyes and hearts to follow You each day. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Journal: Examine your relationship with the Lord. Are you living a balanced life with a healthy awe-filled fear of Him and His power while still living in the grace that was given through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus?
Porch Chair Prayers 