April 30, 2009 The Fear Of God
Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17
Scripture Focus:
1 Samuel 6:6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. And David became angry because of the LORD’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day.
Matthew 17:5–6 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
Observation:
Proverbs says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” In these two passages we see that it’s a good idea to have a healthy respect for God. When God chooses to reveal himself physically (when Jesus was transfigured on the Mount in Matthew) or through some act of punishment (the 2 Samuel story of Uzzah) the result is always a sense of fear.
As C.S. Lewis puts it in the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan isn’t safe, but he’s good.
Application:
It’s a healthy reminder for me to once in awhile realize that it’s not a good idea to be flippant about God, or to disregard his power. On the other hand, I don’t have to go around cowering and fearing God will strike me if I get the least bit out of line. A God who would die to take away my sins is the kind of God I will gladly follow.
Prayer:
Abba Father, I acknowledge your great power! You are an awesome God.
