Fear the Lord
Written by Ed Allen
Saturday, 03 November 2001 19:00
The Key to Living in Uncertain Times
The key to living in uncertain times is to fear the Lord.
-
It is our tendency to fear people.
We are people pleasers - this is what drives us.
All of us fall into this: fear of boss, father, etc.
According to the Bible, we should not fear people.
Psalm 46:3-4
"(3) though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (4) There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
Matthew 10:28
"(28) Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
-
It is our tendency to fear circumstances.
Plenty of reason in our current world climate.
According to the Bible, there is no need to fear circumstances.
Psalm 23:4
"(4) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[1] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
-
If we want to live in uncertain times, we should fear the Lord.
What does it mean?
Deuteronomy 10:12
"(12) And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."
Love him, do what he says, serve him wholeheartedly
Means to make God your motivation.
Means God is the focal point for all your decisions.
How does it happen?
Jeremiah 32:40
"(40) I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me."
Also "born again" image It happens supernaturally. It is work of God in our lives. We cannot make it happen! But we can seek it and allow it to happen!
-
The key to living in uncertain times is to obey the word of his servant.
Word "obey" = shema ? Critical word.
Deuteronomy 6:1-2
"(1) These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, (2) so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life."
Isaiah introduces his message with "Hear this." ?
Isaiah 6:8-10
"(8) Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (9) He said, "Go and tell this people: "`Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' (10) Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."
Isaiah's calling. To make people hear, but not really hear. ? This phrase appeared repeatedly in Isaiah's rebuking messages.
For example, speaking to the priests and rulers...
Isaiah 28:14
"(14) Therefore, hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem."
Interestingly, this same idea appears in the passages of promise.
For example:
Isaiah 32:3
"(3) Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen."
Obviously means more than hear the sound. It means to bring your life under the direction.
His servant = Jesus
-
The key to living in uncertain times is to wholeheartedly rely (batah) on God.
Batah "expresses the sense of well-being and security which results from having something or someone in whom to place confidence."
We rely on that thing that is certain, that thing that makes us feel safe.
For us right now:
May be the size of our army - found myself undone when I heard report on NPR the other day about how limited our technology is in fighting in Afghanistan.
Greek-speaking Jews translated it with the Greek word for "hope"
In H.S. - hope in popularity
In college - hope in our GPA
Working and living in NVA - hope in financial plan, marriage, job
Isaiah says these are unreliable foundations for hope, for security.
Isaiah 30:12
"(12) Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended on deceit."
Isaiah 31:1
"(1) Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD."
In a beautiful passage tells us that God is where we can deposit our reliance. ?
Isaiah 12:2
"(2) Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."
Don't have to be afraid Have strength - the resource we can rely on Have a song - that which makes us happy
Those who live this way:
Will have peace.
Isaiah 26:3-4 ?
"(3) You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (4) Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal."
Will have wisdom when they need it.
Proverbs 9:10 ?
"(10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Will be renewed when they grow weak
Isaiah 40:28-31 ?
"(28) Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (29) He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (30) Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; (31) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Will live with greater effectiveness.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
It was not Israel's choice to live this way. She brokered a deal with Egypt and suffered the consequences.
Proverbs 3:11
"(11) My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke."
In what ways today are you walking in the light of your own fires?
Trying to control something which is beyond your control?
Making a plan that you know is not of God's making?
Pursuing a relationship that is not pleasing to God?
Deceiving someone?