Fear: July 20, 2009

TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JULY 20, 2009

FEAR

Defined by Webster:

A distressing emotion; aroused by impending danger; evil; pain; being afraid; concern or anxiety; something that causes fright.

GODS WORD

“The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding.” Job 28:28

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7.

“So we can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

“Oh fear the Lord, there is no want to those who fear Him.” Psalm 34:9

WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE

The Bible frequently speaks of the fear of the Lord. Fear of the Lord means to revere and respect God and to be in awe of His power and majesty. Job tells us that the fear of the Lord is wisdom because it wisely brings us to revere and honor God and causes us to want to live in obedience to His Word.

Solomon says fear is the beginning of knowledge and wise men store up knowledge [Proverbs 10:18]. Fear of the Lord, the scripture tells us, should cause us to run to Him and not from Him. In Proverbs 18:10 we are told that the name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous should run to it. The awesomeness of the power of God that leads us to fear Him is also what causes us to run to Him. We are to run to God for our salvation and when we are saved we have no reason to fear.

Fear of the Lord is one meaning of the word fear. There is also the fear that many people have in their life today. These fears could be family related such as fear of abuse, job situations, health issues or financial concerns. Many people today are fearful of the uncertainty of the national economy here in America. But the Lord has said in Psalms 27:1 “He is our light and salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?”

These fears arouse a sense of impending danger in our minds that could bring on bodily harm or mental and emotional concerns. In II Timothy 1:7 Paul tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of a sound mind. When we put our trust in God, He gives us the power and courage to face our fears and the sound mind to calm our fears.

We have an awesome God and nothing is too big for Him. We need to put our complete trust in Him and He will take away our fear. But for those who do not put their faith in Jesus, life will be filled with fear. The unbeliever has reason to fear. You have no hope, no peace and no room for any kind of joy in your life. If your life seems hopeless today then study this verse: “So we can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Hebrews 13:6.

You have a choice to make if you do not have your trust in the Lord. You can continue living a life controlled by fear, hopelessness, loneliness and the emotional anguish that accompanies fear or you can run to God and put your trust in Him and ask Him to be your helper and take away your every fear. It is your choice to make.

TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER

Thank you Lord for all that you are to me. Help me today to run to you with my fears and concerns. Help me not to be tempted to run away from you under the pressures of those that I associate with. Guide and bless my family with your awesomeness today.