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Healthy Fear
This week's focus: Reverence
A few years back, my husband and I were driving home when another car crashed into us from the side. We pulled over, but as soon as we exited our vehicle, the car that struck us took off. Another man witnessed the accident, and we followed the driver until they finally pulled over. I was shocked to see it was a teenage girl behind the wheel. She sobbed when I asked for her insurance information, “Please don’t tell my dad; I wasn’t supposed to take his car! Please don’t tell!” I explained to her that I was the one who should be crying since it was my new car that her disobedience damaged. Had she thought about how her dad would respond before she went on a joy ride, no one would have been upset and crying that night.
The Bible tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A healthy fear of our Heavenly Father is good because it keeps us from making destructive choices that hurt ourselves and others. Our world is deteriorating all around us due to the absence of Godly fear. Unfortunately, people mistakenly believe God’s temporary silence is permission to sin, but they are wrong. Psalms 50:17-21 warns, “For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you…. You have done these things, and I kept silent; You thought I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.”
“You thought that I was just like you” reveals a lack of reverence due to our all-powerful, all-knowing, holy God. When pride replaces reality, and we forget who God is, holy fear is absent. Deceived people create a God in their imaginations that allow them to choose to do what they want—and they can—but they can’t choose the consequences. Hence, many of the problems we see in our world today.
God’s silence isn’t permission but patience. His withholding of judgment is evidence of His love for us. 2 Peter 3:9 says it best, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.”
Our gracious Father has been patient for a long time. As followers of Christ, let’s pray that a protective, Holy fear (reverence, respect, and awe) of the Lord will permeate our nation—before we crash and cry.
by: Jennifer McAlister, Communications, My Faith Votes
Psalm 112:1
"Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments."
Prayer Points:
Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for being all-powerful and incomparable. Please teach us to fear sin, not just because of its consequences but also because it grieves Your heart. You deserve all the glory, honor, and praise. Nothing compares to You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Think: "When men no longer fear God, they transgress His laws without hesitation. The fear of consequences is no deterrent when the fear of God is gone."– Aiden Wilson Tozer
Act: The National Day of Prayer is May 4th. My Faith Votes has prepared ways for you to impact our nation by providing you with tools to use. Watch this short video from our CEO about the details.
Host an event at your church: Hosting a National Day of Prayer Event - an instructional guide
Postures of Prayer Guide - This guide explores the various postures of the heart during prayer, including surrender, thankfulness, repentance, forgiveness, and petitions. Print copies and hand them out at your event.
Pray at a government building: Bring friends and family together at a local or state government building to pray. Use the Postures of Prayer Guide and access more prayer points here.
Join a local event: Find an event near you.
We want to see God honored in America, and we pray for an unprecedented spiritual awakening.
This devotion was produced in partnership with Every Home for Christ.
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