Fear the Lord and Fear Not; Awe and Reverence for GodSample

God Prunes Us and Showers Abundance and Eternal Life on Us

Exodus 20:20 tells us that God tests us to help us fear the Lord and keep from sinning.

Proverbs 3:11-12 reminds us that the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. When we fear God in love, He disciplines us to purify us, so we can revere Him even more and be useful for His kingdom. Jesus tells us in John 15 1-2 that every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Pruning and discipline are not fun, but they produce lovely fruit in our lives and help us realize that everything good in us comes from God, not our abilities. Humility, one of a Godly person’s most outstanding qualities, is the fear of the Lord according to Proverbs 22:4, and the results are riches and honor and life.

Psalm 25:14, “The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” Having the Lord confide in us and trust us with His word is an amazing blessing! Being reminded of His covenant with us, and understanding how it impacts our lives, makes life worth living.

Listening to God and being in awe of Him and His Word helps us understand His desires and then we can also desire them above all else. Psalm 145:19, “He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.”

• Psalm 31:19, “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”
• Psalm 147:11, “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”
• Malachi 4:2, “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.”
• Psalm 33:18, “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”

What protection, security and safety we feel when we know that the eye of the Lord is always on us who fear Him and hope in His mercy! With the world in great turmoil, which seems to increase daily at an exponential rate, how can we not bow before Him in loving fear and admiration and gratitude!

We praise You, O Lord, our souls rejoice in your compassion and grace. We thank You for the benefits You surround us with as we walk in trust and fear of Your amazing presence in our lives. We will rest in You and praise You forever for Your sacrifice for us, and thank You for Your unending eternal love, amen.

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