Devotional for June 3

God’s Gifts for Joyful Living

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God never has a need for a plan B at any time. Get quiet and listen. Hear the Lord speak to your soul “according to your faith be it done unto you.” God works everything out for good for those who love Him. So, be at peace even when your best laid plans fall apart. Nothing surprises God. Absolutely everything is in His hands, from the cosmic to the quantum. He can change everything for you in an instant. Trust in His love for you. Is not steel hardened in the fire? Is not a diamond formed under pressure? Does not muscle require resistance to become stronger? Likewise is faith developed…in the fire, under pressure, and with resistance. Trust God our Father. He alone is truly good and infinitely better than the very best any human father could ever be. Pray for what you need in the full assurance of hope based on the knowledge of the facts that whosoever asks will receive, whosever seeks will find, and whosoever knocks the door will be opened. And if it is delayed, wait for it. Glorify God by giving thanks to Him even before seeing the blessing as you remember the faithfulness of God. Praise Him for His goodness and chase away every doubting thought.  Always ask according to the will of God and the needed grace will come. 

Question

What is the fear of the Lord?

Answer

The fear of Lord is a treasure available to all who are born again by God (John 1:12-13; Isaiah 33:6). It is having such a reverential respect that the child of God will immediately flee from anything displeasing to God knowing that such a thing is harmful to self and by very definition called sin (Genesis 39:7-12; 1 John 3:9-10). This is the same reaction seen in a person who is allergic to bees: the fear of bees will cause him or her to avoid being stung at all costs (Job 28:28). A spark from the fire has the same nature as the fire (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our God is a consuming fire and anything incompatible with God is harmful to our new nature in Christ Jesus (Deuteronomy 5:1-5, 23-29; Psalm 24:3-6; Hebrews 12:29). Knowledge of the holy is essential and it is wisdom is to depart from any evil way (2 Peter 1:2-11; 1 Peter 1:13-25). This we do not merely as a duty as some of our fathers under the Old Testament Law did (Isaiah 29:13-16; ; Romans 3:18; Matthew 15:19-28). Rather, we whole heartly obey because we want to do it (Jeremiah 29:13; Ephesians 4:23; Romans 8:6-7; Galatians 5:16-26; James 4:1-7). It is never hard to do what we love to do (Colossians 3:2; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 24:32). This is why the fear of the Lord is a treasure within us (Psalm 119:11-20; 1 John 5:3-4). The fear of the Lord is essentially faith that works by love (Hebrews 11:1-6; Jude 1:20-21; Galatians 5:6; Jude 1:24-25).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.