Purpose

• Keeps from sin (Ex 20:20)
• Brings the LORD delight (Psa 147:11)

Benefit

• The LORD watches over and delivers from death and famine. (Psa 33:18-19), (Psa 34:7)
• They lack nothing (Psa 34:9); have food (Psa 111:5); and are blessed (Psa 112:1)
• They receive God’s love – as great as the heavens are high above the earth (Psa 103:11) and endures forever (Psa 103:17), (Psa 118:4), (Psa 147:11)
• God fulfills their desires, hears their cry and saves them (Psa 145:19)
• Leads to knowledge (Prov 1:7) and wisdom (Prov 9:10) (Prov 15:33)
• Adds length to life (Prov 10:27) and turns from deadly traps (Prov 14:27) (Prov 19:23)
• Brings confidence and refuge for children (Prov 14:26)
• Leads to contented rest – free from trouble (Prov 19:23)
• Brings riches, honor, and life (Prov 22:4)
• Freedom from fear of punishment and people (Psa 23:4), (Prov 29:25), (Rom 8:15), (Luke 12:5), (I John 4:18)

Quality

• Applies to every person (Ecc 12:13)
• Pure, enduring forever (Psa 19:9)
• Humble (Prov 22:4)

(I’ve included these verses and more, here)

So . . . quite an extensive topic!   This fear of the LORD seems foundational to a relationship with God.

I must admit, I don’t like this.  The “fear of the Lord” rubs me the wrong way.  I like to think of love as foundational instead.

But the command to fear God appears roughly twice as much as the command to love God, and most of the love commands intrinsically include instructions to obey.  I think this verse probably bundles everything up best.

Deu 10:12-13 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

To be honest, the phrase “for your own good” rubs me the wrong way too.  We don’t much care for stuff that is for our own good.  It sounds like medicine, or discipline, or some other yucky thing that ends with “ine.”

But, I have found, fearing God is liberating . . . and not like medicine, which cures our illness but leaves a bitter taste, but more like an escape route from prison we avoid – fearing more pain than our cell – only to find the path to love and joy and freedom.

Part of my aversion to the phrase is an idea that we only fear abuse, or someone who would mistreat us for stepping out of line (like thinking independently) . . . or we imagine being chased by a monster!  If we view God as a human peer or spouse, his behavior would certainly be classified as unhealthy.

But God is far from a peer.  I think a healthy parent-child relationship illustrates the concept more closely.  It’s an imperfect shadow, but helpful.

Any parent who has held their newborn knows overwhelming love – the need to protect and do whatever it takes to see this little human grow into a happy, successful adult.  As children grow and develop, we provide rules and instruction to help train them toward success.

For the most part, they don’t like our rules.   They don’t want to eat healthy foods, they don’t want to get enough sleep, they don’t want to go to school, they don’t want to pick up their stuff, and they don’t want to work for anything they want to receive.  We don’t want our kids to be afraid of us, but we do want them to take our boundaries and teaching seriously – for their own good!

In a healthy parent-child relationship, the parent communicates great love and affection with words and hugs – praise and encouragement – and with reasonable limits . . . enforced with negative consequences if need be.  We don’t insist on respect out of some egotistical need.  We require respect so kids will follow the rules, which they need to mature into happy, responsible adults.  We demand respect because we love our children.  At least, we aim for this model.

God created us for love and fellowship with him.  Because forced love is not true love, God gave us a choice.  Our choice was for pride and rejection of the divine love story.  But in that overwhelming love of a parent (or Creator), he made a way for restoration.

So here is where the rubber meets the road and the fear of the LORD is crucial.

When we see God for who he is in all his awesome power and glory – when we understand the greatness of who he is along with our own contribution of zero dollars and zero cents to the equation – then we can start to understand the terror we should feel at disregarding his commands and the reverence he deserves . . . which is the fear of the LORD.

Embracing the fear of the LORD results in humility, which allows God’s love and grace into our life.

And that love and grace releases us from slavery to other people – characterized by the struggle with low self-esteem and its unhealthy opposite, high self-esteem.

• I am a slave when I believe lies about myself – that I need to be smarter, prettier, more talented, nicer, etc. to feel accepted and worthwhile – or that I am worthwhile because of these qualities.

TRUTH:  The LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Ps 147:11)

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.(Mat 10:29-31)

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him?  You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor.” (Heb 2:6b-7)

• I am a slave when I believe lies about my life – that I need a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse, a baby, a college degree, a better career, car, house, wardrobe, etc. to be happy and successful.

TRUTH: Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless like chasing the wind. (Ecclesiastes 6:9)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Col 3:1-2)

• I am a slave when I believe lies about my relationships – that I need to make others happy, that others need me, that my welfare is not as important as others, and that all relationship success is my responsibility.

TRUTH:  The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Prov 19:23)

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. (Gal 6:4-5)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mat 11:28-30)

• I am a slave when I believe the people and events in my life are out of control – or when I believe they are safely under my control.

TRUTH:  In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and it will be a refuge for his children. The fear of the LORD is like a life-giving fountain, to turn people from deadly snares. (Prov 14:26-27)

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. (Psa 115:3)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil 4:6)

• I am a slave when I accept and believe the judgements of others – positive or negative.

TRUTH:  The fear of people becomes a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set on high. (Prov 29:25)

The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Sam 16:7)

no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD. (Isa 54:17)

• I am a slave when I don’t know who I am, where I am going, and why I am here.

TRUTH:  Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. (Ecc 12:13)

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: (Psa 37:3-5)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10)

• I am a slave when painful memories keep me trapped in anxiety, fear, resentment, and failure.

TRUTH:  there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (I John 4:18)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: (2 Co 5:17-18)

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Col 3:13)

• I am a slave when I need anyone, anything, or any circumstance to gain peace, purpose, or safety.

TRUTH:  But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. (Psa 33:18-19)

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, (Eph 1:11)

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isa 26:3)

• I am a slave when I feel trapped in my self-destructive behavior.

TRUTH:  The fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning. (Ex 20:20b)

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Rom 8:15)

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Gal 5:16)

I think each of these false beliefs warrants an individual post – but this post about the fear of the LORD is quite long enough!

Has the fear of the LORD rescued you from lies?  What truths aided your escape?

The post Does God Really Want Our Fear? appeared first on Adventures in Loving.

I love reading about the great stuff God promises!

The promises are so positive, uplifting, and life affirming.  When I read them (usually scrawled across a beautiful landscape) I feel I can do anything, and everything will be great!

But at times it seems some promises are not really “working” for me – very disappointing and even upsetting.

Two things I have found.

First, while all Proverbs are instructions for wise living, many are not actual promises.  Sometimes hardworking people are poor, outstanding wives are mistreated, loyal husbands are unappreciated, and godly parents raise ungodly children.  The wise still follow the precepts, but understand that we can’t demand certain outcomes of God.

Other proverbs echo consistent principles running throughout scripture, raising them to “promise” stature, which brings me to my second discovery.  Many times I have focused on the promises while neglecting the conditions.

But God is unconditional!

Really?  Is God unconditional?

God definitely loves unconditionally – So much that he sent his Son to take the punishment for our enmity with Him and make reconciliation possible.  But even that free gift comes with a condition…the condition that we accept the gift, turn from our fight and become His loving servant instead.

Because God loves us and wants us to enjoy all He created us to be… He filled the pages of His message to us with all the great benefits of following His instructions.

So – as I review God’s words to mankind – I look for promises, then for conditions . . . and then the next (most difficult) step . . . being honest about the conditions.

. . . because I ALWAYS think I meet the conditions!  The Bible says “commit your way to the Lord,” and I say, “Sure!  I commit my way to the Lord. Done.”   But is that really true?  Did I commit my way?  Did I even stop to consider what that means, or did I just want to move on to receiving that “straight path” I was promised?

We often lie to ourselves…not intentionally, of course.  But we don’t want to hurt our feelings (and we want others to like us too).  It’s just so much easier for us to believe that we ARE being and doing all the things that we WANT to be and do.

It has been very important for me to learn not to believe my own lies (more on that here).  I hope you will join me in looking at some Proverbs and Promises in a deeper way.

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1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

So – some nice promises here . . . blessed . . . like a fruitful tree . . . prospering . . .  Sounds pretty good!

Well, I guess I don’t spend a lot of time wishing I was like a tree planted by streams of water – it sounds lovely and poetic – but also boring and limiting.  BUT I do like the ideas of being blessed and prosperous!

Picturing what blessed and prosperous would look like, I begin to imagine a life of comfort and ease.

But somehow God doesn’t view things the way His creation sees them.

Realistically, I don’t see any evidence this passage promises material wealth, earthly health, or any temporary trinket.  It promises that what we DO will prosper – or be fruitful.  Many times we do not even see the fruits of our labors.  We may, from time to time, be aware of how our lives are impacting others, but I suspect much of our “prosperity” will remain unknown to us in this life.

And then, I guess there are some requirements to receive this fruitfulness:

• does not walk in step with the wicked
• does not stand in the way that sinners take
• does not sit in the company of mockers
• delights in the law of the Lord
• meditates on his law day and night

At first glance I feel pretty good about the way I stack up here.  I don’t have any wicked, sinful, or mocking friends.  I do enjoy reading God’s word – although I wouldn’t get much done if I was meditating day and night!  That must be a bit of hyperbole.

But reading the list more carefully, it seems to contain recommendations on how I spend my time.  I am challenged to consider my daily options in light of these constraints.

Honestly, I spend most of my time simply maintaining our household and shepherding children.

But, not just accepting the easy answer, I begin to consider my music and entertainment choices.  Television, movies, Netflix, and all of Social Media need to be held up to the yardstick of Psalm 1.

Viewing the list upside down shows a progression from positive behavior to passively negative to actively negative.  So, I will look at it in reverse order.

Do I really delight in the law of the Lord?

While I DO enjoy my Bible reading time, I’m not sure it always scores in the “delight” category.  Over the years, as I have learned my need for these words of life, my enjoyment has definitely grown – but I could use some fresh encouragement to dust off the eyes of my heart and see how delightful the law of the Lord really is.

And is it really hyperbole to meditate day and night?

I guess it depends on your definition of meditate.  We tend to think of sitting in silence, eyes closed, repeating something over and over. . . which is meditating, of course, but meditation also includes thinking deeply about something . . . namely the delightful law of the Lord.

We can definitely think deeply about and reflect on a passage of scripture throughout the day and as we drift to sleep at night.  This would become the backdrop of our mind’s activity.  We do this all the time when we worry about something or when we make life decisions or are involved in a dispute . . . we just need to make a conscious effort to switch over that background noise.

What would it look like to sit in the company of mockers?

This question immediately makes me think of social media.  In this venue, mocking is often the first line of attack on any value, idea, or person.  Sometimes I feel the value, idea, or person deserves attack, but I need to be careful about giving approval of or engaging in mockery.  Encountering absurd beliefs makes it difficult to resist, but I don’t want to lend credibility to the practice of mockery. Jesus never mocked, and he met some pretty ridiculous characters!

What about standing in the way sinners take?

This is more active than sitting with (observing?) mockers.  I guess standing with sinners in today’s world would mean liking and sharing their posts!  I am only partly joking.  If we are not wary of mockers, we may begin to feel comfortable with sinful values, ideas, and people.  We move from just observing to standing with them or identifying with them.

Finally, what would it look like to walk in step with the wicked?

That seems pretty active – taking action to go along with a wicked person, or getting directly involved in some wickedness.  I think this is the next logical step in the progression; approving of mockery -> sympathizing and/or identifying with ungodly values -> engaging in and/or approving of wrong behavior.

Of course these conditions for blessing and prosperity were given to humans millennia before the internet existed, so obviously social media is not the only pitfall for our life. I do think it has provided a streamlined process. . . not bad in and of itself, but these verses challenge me to be aware and on guard.  And they also tell me how to be on guard – by meditating on the law of the Lord day and night.

While I don’t think I am walking (or ever would walk) in step with the wicked, I am encouraged to be more intentional about focusing my mind on the word of God and more careful about the entertainment I allow into my life and thoughts.

The post Psalm 1 appeared first on Adventures in Loving.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
⁸ It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.

What an exciting promise . . . an easy path to perfect health!

I don’t think I’m too wise . . . . I fear the Lord . . . I don’t do evil stuff.  So wait, I should never get sick!  But I do get sick.  And why is the church filled with really sick people?  God seems to be falling down on this one.

I guess we could consider this a principle rather than promise, but I personally don’t think so.  I think it is a promise for improved health and sense of well-being, not a guarantee of perfect health.

Lots of things improve our health, but don’t assure complete lack of sickness.  Exercise is good for health . . . healing to the body and refreshing to bones . . . but exercise doesn’t cure or prevent all types of cancer, for example.  It lowers the risk of some, and a person with cancer might benefit from exercise, but that’s far from a “no sickness” guarantee.

But let’s move on to the conditions.  We can’t claim promises just by reading them, after all.

What does it mean to be wise in your own eyes?  What if I am wise?  I can’t acknowledge that? Should I think I am dumb?  That seems a little extreme.

I suspect this has more to do with arrogance, or being too impressed with myself . . . or the opposite of fearing the Lord.  It would be impossible to have a proper respect and honor for God while marveling at my own wisdom.

 “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6b

So, how do I keep from being overly awed with myself?

Focus on God – who He is and all He has done – neutralizes self-adoration.  Moses, Isaiah, and Job all saw God, which gave them a crystal-clear view of themselves.

And what about turning away from evil?  I don’t consider myself an evil person, so I tend to think this is already handled.  But looking again at those who physically looked on the face of God, they weren’t what I would call evil guys.  I’m nowhere near the league of Moses, Isaiah, and Job!  Yet they all had an intense awareness of their uncleanliness in the presence of God’s perfect holiness.

So, when contemplating God’s greatness, I naturally become more aware of my shortcomings. And I should respond by correcting my behavior – not justifying things I consider harmless and don’t want to give up.

And I do believe (in my opinion anyway) that humility, fear of the Lord, and turning from evil are good for your health.

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