Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 1 Samuel 15:24
I once again pause from my study of Isaiah and of Proverbs to listen to the Solid Joys daily devotion on DesiringGod.com. Similar (albeit by way of contrast) to a post a couple of days ago where the devotion from Solid Joys encouraged us to pray in a way that pleases God, today we see how God is not pleased when we fear man vs Him. Piper writes how this is a form of pride. Piper writes: "[i]n fact, Isaiah says it is a kind of pride to be afraid of what man can do while we disregard the promises of God. He quotes God with this piercing question: “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker?” (Isaiah 51:12–13). God is infinitely good and infinitely powerful. Our lives are in His hands and we all know that (1) we all sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8), and (2) the wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23) - so we have sufficient reason to fear God - He is God!
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I know You made me and You are saving a place for me in Heaven and I am not deserving. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
