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

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 continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at Saul and how his obedience to men came at the price of disobedience to God. In 1 Samuel 15:3, Samuel - as God's messenger - gives Saul specific commands about how to go to war with Amalek: "devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey."  However, we learn in v9 that Saul does not do this and then in v10-11 we see God's response, followed by Samuel.  "The word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night."  John Piper points us to Isaiah 51:12 where we see additional text that reminds us not to fear man but to fear our Maker.   Isaiah 51:7-8 is even more pointed:

“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.” 

In an age of cancel culture, where there is widespread "fear of man" with regards to faith and expressing one's views consistent with scripture, we must stand firm in the faith.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good...You protect me from harm and seal me - forever...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide such refuge.  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. 

So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Daniel 6

 So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:23

I continue my pause of my study of Hebrews to study Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 6 and my unaided observations of this chapter.  Here, we see a powerful earthly sin at work - envy and jealousy.  In v1-9 we see Daniel growing in power and status within Babylonia under King Darius, so we see men in Darius' court working to undermine Daniel by getting Darius to unwittingly issue a new law that forces all within the kingdom to worship only Darius.  What is interesting here is how the high officials did not see Daniel do anything wrong, so they came up with a scheme they knew could trap him even though he was otherwise blameless (see v5). Of course, Daniel knew about the law but this did not stop him from openly pursuing worship of the One True God - regardless of how this may be against any earthly or secular law (see v10).  Darius liked Daniel but he felt trapped - he had to enforce the new law, regardless of how he unwittingly agreed to it.  He even prayed to God that Daniel be delivered from the punishment - the lions den (see v16).  Of course, God does rescue Daniel (see v21-23).  The text remarks how no harm was found on Daniel "because he had trusted in his God (v23)."  Darius Those who sought to take Daniel down - and their entire families - were harshly punished as they were thrown into the lions den and not rescued by God (see v24). V26-27 is important to note how Darius praises God for how he rescued God:

Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” v25-27

Darius' words seem to be inspired by the Holy Spirit!  Indeed we SHOULD tremble and fear God as His kingdom lasts forever, and His works are incredible and miraculous - and of course He saves!  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good and worthy of my praise and worship - always and regardless of the circumstances as I know that You will never leave or forsake me and You save! Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues.  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.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 4:1-13, and my initial unaided observations of this text.  Once again, just as it did in Hebrews 3, the text in Hebrews 4 starts with "therefore," connecting this chapter with the previous, and in Hebrews 4 the text starts with a warning to fear God and fear falling away so that we can "enter His rest." The text describes how the first generation Israelites did not enter His rest by saying in v2: "[f]or good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened."  The implication is that we should be, as Hebrews 3 emphasizes, and per my post yesterday, in fellowship and community with other believers - let us exhort and encourage one another daily. God's rest is defined in Hebrews 4 in v9-10 as the rest God had on the seventh day of creation, after laying the foundation of the earth: "[s] then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."  The implication here is that believers can rest from a focus on faith based on works and instead receive rest through faith alone in Jesus Christ.  The word "today" is mentioned twice, implying urgency for us to follow the warnings of the author to not fall away.  The text wraps by sharing why believers should fear God - it is because He is all knowing - and all of us will have to account for our lives upon final judgement, either upon death or when Jesus returns a second (final) time.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God - You give me rest and peace of mind like no other - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing, nor of any the blessings You pour out for me, including my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome 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. 

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

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!

Comment and discuss this post.

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.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

 Leviticus 24

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:8-10

This afternoon, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter twenty-one - In God's Presence  - covering Leviticus 24:1-23, looking specifically at the third theme for the chapter - We Relate to God Reverently.  Here, we tackle a difficult question - to what extent should we fear and revere God?  The commentary theme for today looks specifically at Leviticus 24:10-16 and v23 - these verses describe how a man blasphemes God, and how God directs Moses to have the man stoned to death as his punishment, and how then the "people of Israel" carried out this punishment. The commentary discusses how theologians and Biblical scholars stress the need to "balance God's immanence and His transcendence" (see DesiringGod.com on this balance, as well as dictionary definitions of immanence and transcendence).  We must balance our view of God who desires an intimate relationship with us (see post yesterday as an example) with a view of God, as described by the commentary, as "not...a mere mortal man, but...the all-powerful Lord of Hosts, Creator of the Universe!  We must always observe that distinction...God tells us repeatedly in His Word to fear Him."  We are referred to Hebrews 10:31 as one of many scriptural examples that remind us to fear God.  The author of the commentary then writes: "[s]ome people are surprised by the severity of God's judgement of the man who blasphemed.  On the contrary, I am surprised by the extent of God's mercy.  We are surrounded by blasphemers.  At work, at school, and in the media we are regularly hear people scoff at the truth of God's Word, mock God's people, and publicly deny God's existence.  Yet God allows them to live another day, and another, and another.  He mercifully gives them many opportunities to turn to Him in faith.  The commentary then describes how Paul refers to God's "extraordinary patience" in 1 Timothy 1:16 and how Peter wrote about the same thing in 2 Peter 3:8-10. The commentary wraps by examining a question: "[w]ho knows how many opportunities [God] gave to the man described in Leviticus 24?....God's judgement of him was an act of mercy to everyone in the man's life, so that they would not learn to blaspheme from him and go into an eternity of suffering and separation from God.  In eternity God will be treated as holy; He will be worshiped as God.  We relate to God reverently."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is SO patient with me and full of mercy for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God!  My sin of harshness with others, etc. is great.  Please forgive me Jesus!  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 accept 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.

I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.

Nehemiah 7, 11-12

 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do. Nehemiah 7:2

Day 282 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with the book of Nehemiah where Nehemiah devises a plan to populate, maintain, and defend Jerusalem following rebuilding of the temple walls by the exiles who returned. Today's reading focuses primarily on the names of families and tribes and where they settle, either in the city or in their ancestral property.  Yet we get another glimpse into Nehemiah's character as a man of God by looking at those who he surrounds himself.   

Hananiah placed in a position of trust due to his fear of God.  We need to surround ourselves by believers who fear God as fear of God drives obedience and a desire to please Him.  Our own faith is strengthened by the faith of those who surround us as "iron sharpens iron".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who has helped surround me with great men of faith who strengthen and encourage me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings - my sin continues.  I fail to see You first among my many sins.  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.

Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

Isaiah 24-26, 32, and 35

Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. Isaiah 26:12

Day 185 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a return to Isaiah's prophecies, this time of the coming Messiah and also of the last days and as my commentary* describes "the ultimate triumph of good over evil". Isaiah describes judgement for the wicked as well as deliverance for believers - praising God throughout.

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

This morning there are many verses that stand out, including:

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1

Referring to Heaven:

On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. Isaiah 25:7-8 

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:8-10

Most importantly for me this morning is Isaiah 26:12 where Isaiah worships God and attributes all that he is and all that he has to God - we all must start with fear of God and humility.  We all need a savior and Jesus Christ is that Savior.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided everything for me - thank You Jesus!  You are also my savior - I am completely undeserving of all of this. I sin daily, including being harsh with others.  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.

Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Isaiah 1-6, 2 Kings 15, and 2 Chronicles 26-27 

Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5

  

Day 174 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues my study of Isaiah, as Isaiah describes God's anger and impending harsh punishment for Judah, who has "rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 5:24). Isaiah's warning is clear that it is directed towards those who "forsake the Lord" (Isaiah 1:18-20, 28 and 4:2-6).  He implores (Isaiah 2) Judah to stop clinging to idols and to stop trusting in "mere humans" that cannot save as only God can.  There are ample references to the end times and the conflict and destruction that will occur (Isaiah 1-3).  Of course during the end times God for the final time overcomes sin and death: "[t]hough [our] sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool (Isaiah 1:18-20)". Isaiah describes spiritual restoration for those who believe - salvation.

My commentary* goes back to Israel for a brief focus (2 Kings 15) on the "political upheaval" there as the throne of Menahem comes to an end and succeeding kings continue to do "evil in the eyes of the Lord". 

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

My study* this morning concludes with a return to Judah (2 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 26-27) as Uzziah dies of leprosy and his son Jotham assumes the throne. Jotham "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the LORD. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices". Isaiah also has a vivid vision of the Lord from the end times (Isaiah 6:1-13).  An interesting aspect of my study's conclusion is how my commentary* notes how Jotham rebuilt and repaired the temple but earlier it is stated that Jotham "did not enter the temple of the Lord".  The final words of my study* this morning are how "Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God".

While Jotham did walk steadfastly before the Lord, he also allowed sin to creep into his own life and into the lives his citizens.  I am reminded how we must use fear of the Lord as a preservative against sin and drive us into His arms.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me beyond question and doubt - You came to save me from sin and death and You will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God and such love.  I worry and I have other sins.  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 messages for me today and every day. 

For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Joel 1-3

For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. Joel 3:14-16

  

Day 163 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of Joel, who prophesies about Judah's spiritual ambivalence and the resulting consequences.  My commentary* describes how "a great disaster befalls Judah" as a famine caused by a swarm of locusts devastates the land.  Joel seizes on the tragedy to warn Judah about another invasion which is to come. My commentary further describes Joel's prophecy on multiple levels: (1) "Joel warns a spiritually ambivalent Judah that anything less than total devotion to the one true God will result in punishment—namely, invasion and destruction by marauding forces from the north." (2) "He further warns that the day of the Lord is coming, when God will bring all mankind to an ultimate accounting for their lives and deeds."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

I have previously posted on fear of God as a preservative against sin and Joel's prophecy (the entire book of Joel) is a stern warning indeed about how we should repent and remain close to God.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve.  I am grateful for Your love.  Yet I am undeserving.  My sin of worry continues.  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.

It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet—when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.

Psalm 76, 82, 84, 90, 92, 112, and 115 

It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet—when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. Psalm 76:7-10

Day 116 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues my focus on 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context. This study of these 112 psalms groups the psalms into five major topical areas, and I start a new group: "Psalms About Righteousness and Wickedness" where David cries out to the Lord regarding the apparent inequity of the wicked who seem to escape judgment and punishment while the righteous suffer.

Today's psalms focus on how God's wrath against evil is to be feared, a warning to those wicked who claim to be gods yet will nevertheless die, the superiority of the house of God over dwellings of the wicked, the importance of remembering life's brevity, how only the righteous will truly flourish, how benefits accrue to a righteous person, and how idolaters have no source of trust as do believers.

Fear of the Lord strikes me this morning as the key theme of today's psalms.  I have previously posted John Piper's view on how fear of the Lord should serve as a preservative in my battle with temptation and sin - essentially that fear over God's wrath and anger over my sin should stop me in my tracks over sin. While this may be a sobering thought to many we should view it as a measure of God's love as well - God only disciplines those He loves.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:4-6

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God who I KNOW loves me.  I know You despise sin and sin separates me from You, and their are eternal consequences to sin.  I am undeserving of Your forgiveness, grace, compassion, and most importantly for Your gift of salvation.  My sin of gossip, worry, etc. continues.  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.

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:48-34

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. Deuteronomy 34:10-12

Day 66 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Moses final moments before He dies - He is allowed from on high to gaze over and view the Promised Land (but not allowed to enter), and he performs a blessing to the Israelites, offering words of great encouragement.  Moses then dies and we have this incredible epitaph capturing his life.

Contained within the epitaph are these wonderful words that "the Lord knew [Moses] face to face".  The Israelites feared God (we all should) and did not want to interact directly with God - instead they requested Moses do this on their behalf (see Exodus 20:18-19).  Yet while we should fear God, we should come to know God as personal, approachable and full of love, compassion and mercy for us - He loves us just as any father loves their children.  John Piper offers this great short interview on this question - he also offers this post - in this latter post Piper writes that "God is ten thousand times better than any good father".  As such, we should desire to develop a daily, lifelong, and personal relationship with Jesus whereby we read, study, and reflect on Him and we offer praise and prayer to Him.  He is our heavenly Father and High Priest.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my heavenly Father and I know I can approach You with confidence - Yes, I DO fear You, but more importantly I love You and I desire to grow in my relationship with You such that I can please and honor You with my life.  I am completely undeserving of Your love and grace.  I sin...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.

“Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Exodus 19-24

“Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20

Day 27 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on God's covenant with Israel and the laws and regulations under which God will rule Israel, including the Ten Commandments.  Moses speaks with God on Mount Sinai and as well the elders experience God's glory.

God's presence at Mount Sinai must have been quite the site - with the thunder and lightning and smoke (v18).  I can imagine the fear - I would have been in fear myself!

This is of course by design.  We should fear God - He both knows everything AND is all powerful.

As I posted a couple of days ago, fear should serve as a preservative and here it is - Moses making the case in so many words.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who protects me from sin...and gives me victory over sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me 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.

And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

Exodus 13:17-15:21

And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. Exodus 14:31

Day 26 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on God's parting of the Red Sea as the Egyptians pursued the Israelites.

Of note here is the how the Israelites fear of destruction by the hand of the Egyptians (Exodus 14:10-12) transitioned to fear of the Lord - this led them to trust in God - although we know this trust wavers time and time again throughout the Old Testament.

I think of how John Piper wrote about fear of God as a preservative.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and worthy of my worship, fear, love, full attention, etc.  You deserve my life - as a living sacrifice.  Help me God You are worthy and I am not...not deserving of the richness You pour out on me.  I sin...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.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,for our “God is a consuming fire."

Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,for our “God is a consuming fire." v28-29

In v18-28, we see a distinction in our relationship with God - in the Old Covenant, and now with the New Covenant. We previously did not directly communicate with God but only through prophets such as Moses.  Now we longer need a mediator as Jesus went to the cross and He became the final sacrifice, and the veil was torn, allowing us who believe direct access to the Most High Place where we can have an eternal and personal relationship with God the Father.

We also have this kingdom that cannot be shaken. When everything around us is shaken and fails, we have a God who is faithful and upon Him we can rest as He is our rock.

Finally, God is a consuming fire and it is this power that drive us into His arms.  See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has both the power to save and to destroy - You are all powerful, all knowing, and I KNOW You love me.  Thank You Jesus.  I know You know everything about me, including my sin.  I also know You have the power to do anything You wish to me - and for this I am driven closer to You....because I love You and because and respect who You are.  Thank You for the many blessings You pour out on me. I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it is 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.

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

2 Corinthians 3

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. v4-5

Arrogance is dangerous and it often leads people to deny God or knowingly commit sin with the belief that no consequence will be too great - dangerous indeed! Fear of God should drive us into His arms and towards obedience.  On the other hand, humility is rightly knowing that we all need a Savior and it is He who works in us in all things. Yes, we should have confidence - but it should rest in God alone.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me life and all things - abundantly - thank You Jesus.  Is am not deserving of the many blessings You pour out for me.  I sin 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. 

When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

Acts 19

When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. v17

As Paul continues his mission in Ephesus, he baptized believers in the name of Jesus (vs John), placed hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit (v1-4).  Perhaps envious of how God was using Paul (v11-12), some sought glory for themselves but this backfired (v13-17).  This is a powerful example of how we must seek God's glory first, and respect His name vs using it for worldly gain. John Piper also instructs us how fear and respect for God should be used as a preservative for our faith - that we not run away from God as His power may be used for our destruction. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always with me...watching over me and protecting me - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of Your love and protection. I sin...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 help me 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.

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

Acts 12

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. v24

In Acts 11-12 we see God working through Peter to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and throughout the lands the Gentiles populate including Antioch where believers are first referred to as Christians (Acts 11:26).  Peter is arrested by Herod but angels help him escape.  

In Acts 12:23, Herod is struck down because "[he] did not give praise to God". 

This is yet another reminder that nothing can stop God's plans and we should fear God as John Piper puts it to preserve our heart for God and to prevent ourselves from running from Him in arrogance, self-sufficiency and through hard-heartedness.  

Herod sought glory for himself and we all often do this - such arrogance is dangerous.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has taught me to be more humble - thank You Jesus.  Thank You for all that You do for me to teach, mold, protect, sustain, bless, etc. I am undeserving of such blessings and love.  I worry and I am discouraging with my speech.  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. 

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Luke 12

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. v4-5

Jesus continues to warn us about our focus on "external cleanliness"; and His warnings extend to our behavior which we may falsely believe is "hidden" for "[t]here is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known" (v2).  

We are to fear God - yet at the same time, we are comforted if we do - this double edge sword is explained further by John Piper. He writes that we should "[f]ear the prospect of becoming proud, and arrogant, and self-sufficient, and drifting away from the living God in a kind of hard-heartedness. So fear functions as a preservative. We don’t want to run away from God. Don’t be presumptuous. So there is that aspect of fearing God."  In His commentary, Piper goes on to end with: "Jesus died for us to provide a place where we could enjoy the majesty of God with a kind of fear and trembling and reverence and awe, but not a cowering fear."

God and His refuge is with us always - and we have the Holy Spirit, The Word, the Church, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who provides refuge from the troubles of this world - we just need faith in Him and to draw and stay near to Him.  Thank You Jesus for providing us refuge!  I am undeserving of such blessings and refuge - I daily miss the mark and often stray from You.  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.

This will be a sign to the people of Israel.

Ezekiel 4

This will be a sign to the people of Israel. v4

There will be times in our lives when it should be clear that God is doing something to get our attention.  It should not be hard for us to detect that God is up to something in our lives.  If we are close to God we should be able to see how God is using events and circumstances in our lives - see also Romans 12:2 where Paul urges us to "be transformed by the renewing of the mind". This renewing allows us to better see the world from God's perspective.

The Bible of course is full of examples where God uses His power to get our attention.

Ananias and Sapphira failed to give as God intends for us and both were struck dead (Acts 5).  After this it is said that "[g]reat fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events".  


Unfortunately, such events and circumstances cause many of us to push God away.  See also how Jesus healed the demon-possessed man and how (Luke 8:26-39) the "all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear".

This fear should draw us TO God and not AWAY from God.

 My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is full of love and compassion for me and You are ALWAYS doing things for me to help me - for my good.  Thank You Jesus that You love me so much.  Yet I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark 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 do.  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.

“Remnant of Judah, the Lord has told you, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Be sure of this: I warn you today that you made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the Lord your God and said, ‘Pray to the Lord our God for us; tell us everything he says and we will do it.’ I have told you today, but you still have not obeyed the Lord your God in all he sent me to tell you. So now, be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go to settle.”

Jeremiah 43

“Remnant of Judah, the Lord has told you, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Be sure of this: I warn you today that you made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the Lord your God and said, ‘Pray to the Lord our God for us; tell us everything he says and we will do it.’ I have told you today, but you still have not obeyed the Lord your God in all he sent me to tell you. So now, be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go to settle.” v19-22

Just as Jeremiah prophesied, Babylonia sacked Jerusalem, took King Zedekiah captive (Jeremiah 39), left a remnant behind in Judah: "some of the poor people, who owned nothing; and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields" (Jeremiah 39:10).

In chapters 40-42, we see fear in the eyes of the remnant as Ishmael son of Nethaniah kills Gedaliah, the appointed governor over Judah.  Many begin to flee Judah to Egypt (Jeremiah 41) and in chapter 42 we see Jeremiah deliver a message from the Lord warning the remnant not to flee to Egypt.  This warning goes from verse 7-22.

In chapter 43 we see Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah accuse Jeremiah of lying to them regarding the Lord's message (see v1-7) and in direct disobedience to God lead the remnant to Egypt.

The question in my mind is when fear strikes do we trust in the Lord or in man?  

For the leaders of the remnant here it seems a bit more clear cut in that Jeremiah was clear in his words from the Lord that going to Egypt was a bad idea - and Jeremiah has a track record of being on the up and up.   

For the rest of us, we must a reverent fear of God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who leads me when times are good and when times are bad - thank You for carrying me through valleys of darkness.  You are truly a great God.  Yet I am undeserving of such love.  I often fall down in my faith and trust in myself, others or in idols.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my faith.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  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.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept Jesus as their 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.