2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 26-28 GW; Psalms 2 GW
Fear is a form of respect.
Healthy fear is recognition that someone or thing has power over you. When I was in sixth grade in the late 1970s, my teacher was Mr. Morgan. Tall, he had dark hair, sparkling eyes, and a rolling laugh. Always quick with a smile, I forgot he was in charge. One day, acting like a clown, I went too far. Mr. Morgan’s reprimand was paddling in front of the entire class. My stinging butt reminded me who was in control.
God is the same. Our Creator, against who no ruler or army can stand has His limits. If we refuse to submit to Him, He’ll let us have our way:
“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” (Romans 1:24-25 NIV)
Serve with fear.
Don’t get caught up worshipping your creature self; worship your Creator. He formed you in your mother’s womb, don’t forget His power.
God is sovereign over all things of the earth. Every breath we take, God provides. When we have victory, the glory is God’s. Without God, we can do nothing. If you can’t breathe, you can’t live.
Serving God with fear means caring more about what God thinks than people think.
You do things because you find direction in God’s word. Forgiving, loving, helping, serving are all things God calls us to do. Following God requires effort. We’re not to sit idly by while the world passes us. No, we’re to engage with the world and love them like Jesus. When we do, we will rejoice with trembling.
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Lord, thank You for helping us understand a little better what serving You in fear means. Forgive us for not respecting Your sovereignty in our lives. Help us today serve You well. Give us boldness to do what You want us to do and not succumb to the world’s temptations. Help us rejoice with trembling as we serve you. All glory is Yours. IJNIP. Amen
Question for reflection
Do you serve with fear?
