Apparently the theme of “The Fear of the Lord” is something a few close friends are also hearing and reflecting on, and I find that encouraging. I was messaging someone who was pressing into this same theme, and experiencing very similar “invitations” to go deeper. Thank You Lord for speaking to us, and for inviting us to press into deeper relationship with You! I know I have just started this reflection but I feel a rapid deepening of my relationship, and I feel like I am seeing things much clearer.
This morning my verses for reflection are from David in Psalm 19:7-11 NIV:
[7]”The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
[8] The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
[9] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.
[10] They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
[11] By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.”
I really like these verses from David, for they put some context around the idea of “The fear of the Lord”. Again, this terminology is unusual for our modern minds, and these additional thoughts bring clarity. The Law, the statutes, the precepts, the commands of the Lord are all related to the Fear of the Lord. We could almost say they are predecessors, for they help us understand that “The Fear of the Lord” is related to His purposes and revealed Word.
In reading this list there is almost a feeling of reading a constitution of governing law, where the underlying benefits are revealed. The benefits are refreshing the soul, making wise the simple, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, enduring forever, and in keeping them is found great reward.
If anything, these verses should help us to categorize the “Fear of the Lord”as something very positive and precious to pursue!
Often in the past when I thought of the “Fear of the Lord” the image I had was of me cowering in front of some powerful authority figure, and me shaking and quaking in fear. In light of these verses, one could almost associate it with the study of our legal systems, understanding the benefits to the laws and how my life is better because of them. It is a completely different image in my mind.
I am reminded of something Jesus said in John 14:15-16 NIV:
[15] “If you love me, keep my commands. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—”
This whole theme is really about establishing and embracing a loving relationship with the Lord! The motivation for all of this, while beneficial to us, is actually love for Him! A loving relationship is the foundation upon which the invitation to keep the commands is given. He isn’t some towering authority figure demanding obedience and compliance, but is rather the one who loves us more than anyone else, and has willingly laid down His life for us! He is inviting us into a depth of relationship that will change everything, in a good way.
Continuing on in His discourse found in John’s Gospel, Jesus says the following - John 15:9-17 NIV:
[9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. [10] If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. [11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. [12] My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. [17] This is my command: Love each other.”
If I understand these verses correctly, we are being invited into the Trinitarian expression of love and intimacy! We are not servants, we are beloved friends and His intent is that His joy will be found complete in us! There is purpose in this invitation, and that is that we love each other! We have been called, and invited with a purpose, that we might “go and bear fruit” which is produced through loving each other!
It is pretty interesting that the end-result of all this is that others experience His love, through us. We are encouraged to love one another AS He loved us! Yikes! That is no small invitation!
I guess I could say it through a sort of science equation:
Love of God -> Love for God -> Fear of the Lord -> deeper love for God -> desire to do what He commands -> love one another -> experience the Love of God!
Oh Lord, help us to press into relationship with You that we might bear fruit, and love one another as You loved us!
Amen!
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