Devotional for February 27

The Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom

111 Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. Psalm 111:1-4, 7-9 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, our Father, Thou Searcher of human hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural. Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretense ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. based on the West Point Cadet Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

Know for certain that once you choose to make faith in God the rule for your life, every persuasive thought and feeling to doubt does NOT come from the one who has called you. Don’t think this strange. Both physical and spiritual strength are developed by training with resistance. Even the highly favored and extremely talented among us must be willing to suffer the discomfort of time under tension if they are to become fully developed. We have been given the gift of eternal life and freedom from the bondage of sin by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Having been translated into the Kingdom of God by Christ, we no longer have to slavishly obey the evil desires of the flesh. We are now free to choose to obey God. Free to choose to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Dearly beloved of the Father, know that you are among the elect of God. The devil causes only the elect to doubt the truth of their calling. Resist him by standing firm in faith. There is a sure victory awaiting all who are willing to fight the good fight of faith. This too is by grace, to the glory of God, whose mercy endures forever.

Question

What do we mean by fear of the Lord?

Answer

An act of worship inspired by love, which creates a willingness to do what is pleasing to God out of respect and reverence for Him.