Topic: Fear That Is Needful [July 7, 2016]
Text: Deuteronomy 5:23-33
Key Verse: “Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32).
Those who love and appreciate God will equally fear Him. The fear under consideration is not the slavish fear that makes you perceive God as a task master ready to apply the rod at the slightest provocation. No. It is the fear that is borne out of admiration and reverence for He who is incomparably greater than every creature.
Our text pointed out the disposition of the people of Israel when God wanted to speak with them. About forty years prior to that time, God had spoken to them from the mountain. He spoke out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness in the environment. They witnessed God’s greatness and magnificence first hand. When they heard God’s voice the first time, nothing happened to them, but this time they were afraid that they might indeed die. Strangely, unbelievers only have the fear of God when they think about God’s judgment and eternal death, that is, eternal separation from Him.
But for the believer, our attitude always should be one of reverence for God as aptly captured in Hebrews 12:28: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ” God is not interested in false religious exercises. Rather, He wants us to have a heart and life which are completely dedicated to Him. If we truly love Him, we need to obey Him.
Thought for the day: The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Kings 16-17
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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