Courageous Humility Pt. 1Shembull

Psalm 40:3 is translated rather differently among various versions. Most translations use the word fear in place of amazed, and others use the term awe. With majority choosing fear, a Strong’s concordance search reveals synonyms: to stand in awe, revere, honor, and respect. So many will fear, be in awe of, revere, honor and respect the Lord after seeing what He has done in our lives. Do they? Is that our hope and prayer?

Are we living in such a way God is able to perform miracles in our lives like never before seen? Are we spending time in our own “upper room”, seeking God in prayer, exiting with a new song and form of speech? One that causes others to be completely amazed? The group of people outside the upper room later asked Peter following His Spirit led speech, “Brothers, what should we do?” {see verse 37}. This led to 3,000 being baptized and added to the church. Are we courageously allowing the Lord to allow others to be amazed, saved and added to the body of Christ by His movement in our lives? 

Or might it be that to some degree we fear how others may perceive us if our lives were to be lived so boldly and courageously for the Lord? Is it possible we are concerned with being perceived as a “dreadful smell of death and doom” to others, thereby stifling the Holy Spirit’s miraculous leading in our lives, potentially hindering those ready to be saved as a result of a life-giving aroma only the Lord in our lives can provide?

Prayer: Lord, help us to be a sweet aroma, one that causes others to be amazed and be in reverential awe of You! Help us to love You and love others so deeply, the effect is our lives lived in a way that compels souls to see You and be amazed. Lord, where fear of what others may think and being more influenced by the perceptions of others may exist, help us overcome and keep our devotions set toward You. Remind us of Saul in 1 Samuel 15:24, when the temptation to respond to people rather than You, presents itself. Lord thank You for Your Word and moving us to live courageously for Christ, and the sake of others. In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.