Fearing the Lord May 29, 2009

Psalm 103: 17-18

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,and his righteousness with their children’s children- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Soundbiting can be very deceptive. We see it during every politically charged event, with people having their words taken out of context and then we make assumptions on what they are trying to say from a snippit. I had that feeling with this verse, and thought about how people talk about the “feat of the Lord”. So Lord loves that we fear him? Is he someone we should be afraid of? I think the key word in these two verses is children… the balance is somewhat similar to the fear that children need to have of their earthly parents.

I love my son, and don’t want him to be afraid of me, however in order to live  a life within boundaries, there needs to be the understanding that I can correct and force the right way. A respect for power and authority. Children need to make right choices, but know that they’ll be corrected if they don’t.

Think of it another way, what keeps you driving on the right side of the road? The law, a common shared idea of what is right-and-wrong, fear of a ticket or an accident? But you don’t drive around being afraid of driving. You understand that their are consequences, that there is a higher authority, and if we respect that authroity, and do the right actions, there is nothing to worry about.

Let’s go back a bit further in this verse:

My life… May 27, 2009

Acts 20:24

But I do not count my life of any value or dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

I was listening to public radio yesterday and they said that one of the biggest problems that teenagers face is the sense of purpose – why I’m here, what makes me unique. What’s my purpose? Without a sense of a calling, there is little to strive for. But we know in God’s word that we have a race to run, and pursue with joy. That calling, that purpose, may not be easy, but it is worth living for.

We all need to know that there is a greater calling on our life than to simply exist. And fortunately the Lord has designed each one of us to testify the grace of God in various ways – through direct missionary work, or via our natural spheres of influence. There may be more work for us to do as well, to bring glory to His name. And we must search our these purposes for our lives, and press on towards bringing them into completion. Our responsibility is be faithful to the calling he has placed before us: nothing more or less.