Today’s Scripture Readings:
Psalms 25:8-15
Exodus 37:1 - 38:31
Matthew 28:1-20
Proverbs 9:9-10
Today’s Scripture Focus: Proverbs 9:9-10
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Prov. 9:10
"Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him." Psalm 25:12
"The Lord confides in those who fear Him."
Psalm 25:14
Fearing
God is the beginning of wisdom. It is among the most admirable
qualities a person can possess (Proverbs 31). The one who fears God is
promised many blessings, including guidance "in the way chosen for him"
and an intimate relationship with God in which the "Lord confides in
those who fear Him."
But what does it mean to fear God?
It does not mean being afraid of God. Some people live in servile fear--and that is not the kind of fear God delights in. As Jerry Bridges rightly clarifies, ”simply being afraid of God will lead to distrust and disobedience of Him. But fearing God...will keep us from sinning.”
Here are a couple of definitions to think on:
“The fear of the Lord is reverential trust and hatred of evil.” William Anderson
“The fear of God in which godliness consists is the fear which constrains (compels or powerfully produces) adoration and love. It is the fear which consists in awe, reverence, honor and worship, and all of these on the highest level of exercise. It is the reflex in our consciousness of the transcendent majesty and holiness of God.” John Murray
“That indefinable mixture of reverence, fear, pleasure, joy and awe which fills our hearts when we realize who God is and what He has done for us.” Sinclair Ferguson
“The fear of God is... astonished reverence. I believe that the reverential fear of God mixed with love and fascination and astonishment and admiration and devotion is the most enjoyable state and the most satisfying emotion the human soul can know.” A.W. Tozer.
My own working definition of the fear of the Lord is this:
The reflex of a heart consciously aware of the presence of God
To rightly revere God, to stand in awe of Him, is to fear Him. That is the foundation to a life lived in the fulness of his blessing, a life of intimate fellowship that brings the Father pleasure and brings our hearts deep satisfaction.
With Joy,
Pastor Jeff
Tomorrow's Scripture Readings:
Psalms 25:16-22
Exodus 39:1 - 40:38
Mark 1:1-28
Proverbs 9:11-12
©2004 by Jeffrey R. Syverson. Feel free to share with others, but give credit where credit is due.
But what does it mean to fear God?
It does not mean being afraid of God. Some people live in servile fear--and that is not the kind of fear God delights in. As Jerry Bridges rightly clarifies, ”simply being afraid of God will lead to distrust and disobedience of Him. But fearing God...will keep us from sinning.”
Here are a couple of definitions to think on:
“The fear of the Lord is reverential trust and hatred of evil.” William Anderson
“The fear of God in which godliness consists is the fear which constrains (compels or powerfully produces) adoration and love. It is the fear which consists in awe, reverence, honor and worship, and all of these on the highest level of exercise. It is the reflex in our consciousness of the transcendent majesty and holiness of God.” John Murray
“That indefinable mixture of reverence, fear, pleasure, joy and awe which fills our hearts when we realize who God is and what He has done for us.” Sinclair Ferguson
“The fear of God is... astonished reverence. I believe that the reverential fear of God mixed with love and fascination and astonishment and admiration and devotion is the most enjoyable state and the most satisfying emotion the human soul can know.” A.W. Tozer.
My own working definition of the fear of the Lord is this:
The reflex of a heart consciously aware of the presence of God
Bringing a sense of
• Reverent awe of His Majestic Holiness
• Admiration of His Glorious Attributes
• Astonishment of His works, wisdom and ways
• Amazement in experiencing His infinite love.
• Admiration of His Glorious Attributes
• Astonishment of His works, wisdom and ways
• Amazement in experiencing His infinite love.
and resulting in distaste for sin and delight in loving, obeying and trusting God.
To rightly revere God, to stand in awe of Him, is to fear Him. That is the foundation to a life lived in the fulness of his blessing, a life of intimate fellowship that brings the Father pleasure and brings our hearts deep satisfaction.
With Joy,
Pastor Jeff
Tomorrow's Scripture Readings:
Psalms 25:16-22
Exodus 39:1 - 40:38
Mark 1:1-28
Proverbs 9:11-12
©2004 by Jeffrey R. Syverson. Feel free to share with others, but give credit where credit is due.