Tag: Fear of God

Devotionals

What Makes You Tremble?

Loring Schultz

“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165 NIV

Photo by Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov on Unsplash

This past weekend on Saturday July 13, 2024, the core of the United States was shaken and most of the world with it as it witnessed an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally. The former President escaped with minor injuries, but a man in the crowd was killed and two others were seriously wounded from gunshots fired into the crowd. It was a moment that made one tremble at hearing the news. As the events unfolded that evening and through the weekend there developed a realization of what was speculated may happen, did happen. There is now an unsettling anticipation for the days ahead. People are looking for relief from the trembling they feel, calling for all to tamp down the temperature of political rhetoric. The feeling of trembling by most Americans is understandable and should not be ignored. But there is a great equalizer when we shift our trembling away from the things of a fallen world to the eternal God and His Word.

What most Americans felt this past weekend was true legitimate fear and anxiety. The 119th Psalm speaks of another true legitimate fear but without the anxiety that makes our hearts tremble, and that is the Word of God. “Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.” (Ps.119:161 niv) The psalmist trembles, fears, dreads, and is in awe, of God’s Word. He does not fear as when government rulers persecute him for their power is no match for God and His Word. He trembles and is awe of the power of the Scriptures and the promises it holds for all who believe in God. “I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.” (Ps.119:162 niv)

People in the United States will experience uncharted territories the next few months. There may be more times of trembling here in America along with the current unrest in the world. But hear what the psalmist says and be encouraged, “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Ps.119:165 niv) We may tremble at the evil in the world, but we can stand firm in great peace, not stumbling as we shift our trembling to the Lord and His Word.

Read: Psalm 119:161-168 NIV – ש Sin and Shin Rulers persecute me – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Do You Fear God?

Loring Schultz

“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin,'” Exodus 20:20 ESV

“………. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.” Proverbs 16:6 NLT

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

What does it mean to fear God? For those who do not know Him, it could be ‘the fear of the unknown.’ The same could be true of those who say they believe there is a God, but fear exists due to the uncertainty of who He is. For those of you who say you have a relationship with God, believing that He is, what does it mean for you to fear God?

When scripture speaks of the ‘fear’ of God it is referring to the ‘reference’ or ‘awe’ of God. God in all His splendor and glory is to be praised. The God of the universe who spoke it into existence out of nothing should fill us with awe. When we observe the creation of the earth and enjoy its beauty and magnificence, we stand in amazement of how great God is. The Bible tells us this great God thinks of us, “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!” (Ps. 139:17-18nlt) God, as awesome as He is, thinks of us constantly. This should make us pause to thank the God of the universe for His precious thoughts towards us, but also to make us think of how we disappoint Him when we sin. It should cause to come to grips with the fact that a holy God, the creator of the universe, the creator of life, and all powerful has just seen us sin.

After Moses received the Ten Commandments from the Lord, the Israelites stood at the base of the mountain and were extremely frightened by the thunder, lightning, and smoke arising from the mountain. They said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” (Ex. 20:19esv) Moses answered them by saying, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.’ (Ex. 20:20esv) The fear the Israelites felt from the presence of the awesome, powerful, holy God is the same fear (reference-awe) God wants us to have for Him that we may not sin. Do you fear God?

Read: Exodus 20:1-21 ESV – The Ten Commandments – And God spoke – Bible Gateway