Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 15:29-33
Prov 15:29-33
The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Heb 10:39
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
1 John 4:17-18
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Fear does different things to different people. Fear may cause some to shrink back and even quit. Fear causes some to hide. Fear causes some to stand and fight, even with energy that seems supernatural. But fear can also mean that we have a very wholesome respect for something or someone. We stand in awe before God because we fear him and his majesty. We anticipate standing in his presence with no fear because we know that he loves us, and he has saved us.
In the Old Testament the word fear is often used and even commanded. It is almost always used in the sense of having the utmost respect for God because of his power and his majesty. In this sense, we are to fear him. The writer of the book of Hebrews says that we are to approach God with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Jesus said to fear him who can destroy our soul in hell.
“I am your God; therefore, you are to have no other gods before me.” “Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” “Do not make any carved images or bow down to them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.” If anyone spoke evil of God or blasphemed his holy name, that person was to be stoned to death. We need to have this kind of “fear” or respect for God and his name today.
O Lord God, holy and majestic, powerful and mighty, it is with utmost fear that I come before you. I know that you are the one who tells me how to live and if I fail to be what you want me to be, you have the power and the right to condemn me to hell. But I praise you in this because I know that the blood of Jesus has taken away my sin and that as my loving father, I can come into your presence with complete confidence that you will hear me and take care of me. Help me to never take your name in vain. Use me in your service. I pray in Jesus’ name.
Robert
