Welcome!
Today: Fear God!
Passage: Jer 5
22 Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. Jer 5 (NIV)
Why is it that we don’t see fear of God among God’s people?
We can sing all kinds of songs about God, and in the next moment, do all kinds of bad things!
How can we bring the fear of God back, into the hearts of God’s people?
When we fear God as we should, we will keep our relationship with God active, all the time, and we will fear to sin. Our mind will bother us too much, when we sin.
Lack of knowledge of who God is, is the root cause of the lack of fear of God
There are two types of fears. A criminal will fear a Police officer. That is not the kind of fear I am talking about. Adam had that kind of a fear after he sinned
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (Gen 3, NIV)
This type of fear comes to those who are God’s own, when they sin
We see another type of fear about God’s presence. It is the reverence for God
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” (Gen 28, NKJV) – emphasis added
Jacob was afraid of God’s presence. But immediately after that, Jacob worshipped God!
Fear of God, holiness, love for God are all things that should preceed worship
There is so much “fake” worship going on; then there is the real one also
People who have fear of God in them only can offer true worship, in the spirit
41 Then those who gladly[g] received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. (Acts 2, NIV) – emphasis added
This is about what happened on the day of Pentecost
These people were glad (v.41) and selfless (v.44,45). They had fellowship, and many miracles were happening. With all of that, they also had the fear of God!
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. (Acts 9, NIV)-emph. added
Somewhere along the way, we lost that fear; we better get it back!
Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and all blessings in life (prov 1:7)
Have a blessed day!
BG
Prayer: Father God, we love you; we thank you for all that you have done in our life and for making us your children. We admit that we lost the fear for you. Put that fear back in us Lord, so that we will fear to sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen
“When we fear God right, we will fear sin, not satan”