Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The Fear of the Lord” - Tuesday, 4 March 2014 – Scripture – Psalm 111

Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The Fear of the Lord” - Tuesday, 4 March 2014 – Scripture – Psalm 111: 1 Praise Yah![a]

    I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart,

    in the council of the upright, and in the congregation.

2 Yahweh’s works are great,

    pondered by all those who delight in them.

3 His work is honor and majesty.

    His righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered.

    Yahweh is gracious and merciful.

5 He has given food to those who fear him.

    He always remembers his covenant.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,

    in giving them the heritage of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are truth and justice.

    All his precepts are sure.

8 They are established forever and ever.

    They are done in truth and uprightness.

9 He has sent redemption to his people.

    He has ordained his covenant forever.

    His name is holy and awesome!

10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.

    All those who do his work have a good understanding.

His praise endures forever!

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 111:1 Psalm 111 is an acrostic poem, with each verse after the initial “Praise Yah!” starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav).

“The Fear of the Lord” by Michael Paugh

Most people would probably define “fear” as a negative feeling. For example, I fear spiders and snakes. Other people may fear receiving bad news from their doctor. However, fear may also be viewed as a positive emotion in our lives. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalms 111:10)

In this, the first of several “hallelujah” Psalms, we see fear mentioned as a positive thing. Consider your parents. We typically love our parents. However, there may have been times when we feared them because of our bad behavior. We knew that they loved us and desired to protect us. Oftentimes our fear was not so much of punishment, although that may have been true, but a fear of disappointing them or violating their trust. The same is true with the fear of the Lord. We obey His commandments because of the love we have for Him and the love He has for us. Therefore, the fear of the Lord is the first step to wisdom.

“Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them” (Ps. 111:2). May we all ponder God’s love; this is the first step towards wisdom.

Hymn for Today:

“All the People that on Earth Do Dwell” by William Kethe

1. All people that on earth do dwell,

Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;

Him gladly serve, His praise forth tell,

Come ye before Him and rejoice.

2. Know ye, the Lord is God indeed;

Without our aid He did us make;

We are His flock, He doth us feed;

And for His sheep He doth us take.

3. Because the Lord, our God, is good;

His mercy is forever sure,

His truth at all times firmly stood,

And shall from age to age endure.

Thought for Today:

“O Lord, I cast my care on thee, I triumph and adore; henceforth my great concern shall be to love and please thee more” (John Ryland).

Prayer Needs:

Many people in Chuuk will come to know Jesus the Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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