Psalm 34:9

Psalm 34:9  

Fear the Lord!     

As we have said on numerous occasions, when the Bible exhorts us to “fear the Lord” it does not mean that we have to fall down in holy terror, with beating hearts, and cower in His presence. It means that we should revere or respect Him and give Him the honour and homage that is His by right. He does not call us to cower but to draw near with confidence, assurance and expectation. He loves you and me. He awaits our company and revels in intimacy with us. We are His children and no child in a happy family relationship should live in fear. In this verse we are described as His holy people. That can be misconstrued also; the suggestion is that we are holy because we are good, because we work at being different and righteous, because we dress and behave and live differently to “the rest of them.”. That is not the meaning of holiness! Holy means to be set apart. Yes, we are different but not because we are better but because He has made us holy. He has called us, He has changed us, He has cleansed and renewed us and now we are separated to love, worship and serve Him. This idea follows the theme of all of Scripture, that God calls a people for himself, He establishes His kingdom and His nation amongst all other nations. Those who live in His Kingdom do things His way, not the world’s way. That is why they are holy. What is the reward for or the consequence of all of this? It is that our God, who owns all things, will ensure that we lack nothing that we need. We may have to go without a few things that we would like but so far as our needs are concerned, they will all be met. “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. Hallelujah!

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