#DailyDevotion If you want to live in peace, have the Fear of the Lord
December 17th
Read Is 33:1–24
Isa 33:2-4, 14-23,24 O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble. (3) At the tumultuous noise peoples flee; when you lift yourself up, nations are scattered, (4) and your spoil is gathered as the caterpillar gathers; as locusts leap, it is leapt upon…14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: “Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?” (15) He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, (16) he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure.21 But there the LORD in majesty will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams, where no galley with oars can go, nor majestic ship can pass. (22) For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us. (24) And no inhabitant will say, “I am sick”; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity.
The world is pretty crazy out there. We can see that by the number of TV shows, websites, and blogs of doomsday preppers, end of the world as we know it and the like. So much is this the popular thought even Walmart has prepper food kits in the isles. That is not to say it wouldn’t be prudent to be prepared somewhat for whatever natural disasters regularly hit your area, tornadoes, ice-storms, earthquakes or hurricanes. Even normal financial advisers say you should have six months of salary in a savings account. So why wouldn’t you have a year’s supply of food in the cupboard?
Well there is being prepared and there is being afraid. The Christian, like the believers in Isaiah’s day, waited for the Lord. They expected the Lord to be gracious to them and be their arm or salvation every morning and time of trouble. We, like them, are to look to Jesus to be our stability of our days. From Jesus we are to exalt the Lord and fill the land with justice and righteousness. The Fear of the Lord is to be our treasure. The fear of the Lord is: Psa 34:13-14 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. (14) Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Pro 2:1-5 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, (2) making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; (3) yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, (4) if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, (5) then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Pro 8:13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
When we are putting our trust in Jesus then we have to look forward to the fulfillment of the promises given here. When we fear the Lord we need not fear the times. We know the reward promised to all who fear, love and trust in the Lord and our Father has given us Jesus that we may know His love and care for us that we may trust Him.
Lord God, Heavenly Father, grant us your Holy Spirit that we may fear you as we ought. Amen.