And he said to humankind, "Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28 NRSV
Which one of your friends would you consider to be a wise person? Is there someone in your immediate family to which you would go for advice? Do you have a coworker that has the experience and the trustworthiness to be your advocate?
In your opinion, do any of these people fear God?
I can agree with Job that not doing evil is wise. But I really struggle with the fearing God part of wisdom. Of course, Job is telling us that God says to fear him is the wise part!
I guess it goes back to my understanding -- or perhaps my need -- to love God, not fear God. A healthy respect is good in my relationship with God. I probably should fear God as God pretty much holds the key to, well, to me. God is my maker, my sustainer, my provider. I suppose I come close to fearing God but not the quaking-in-my-boots kind of fear.
How do you handle fearing God? Do you fear God? Do you think you can be a wise person without fearing God?
God, are we really supposed to fear you? How can I fear you and yet love you? In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Showing posts with label fear of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fear of God. Show all posts
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Taking a Bribe
...And said to the judges, "Consider what you are doing, for you judge not on behalf of human beings but on the Lord's behalf; he is with you in giving judgment. Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care what you do, for there is no perversion of justice with the Lord our God, or partiality, or taking of bribes." II Chronicles 19: 6-7 NRSV
How I wish someone had said this to some of our local and state politicians. I don't think I have picked up a newspaper lately without some new report of a mayor, commissioner, judge, state senator or other government employee taking a bribe. Some of these have been in the forms of campaign contributions or loans but a few have been outright gifts. There seems to be little fear of the Lord not to mention integrity among those serving in public office.
Why is that? Are people just more greedy these days? Or are they simply apathetic?
In the time of King Jehoshaphat of Jerusalem, the king's responsibilities included bringing folks back to God. In fact, Jehoshaphat was a good king. He got rid of those pagan places of worship and had the book of the law read to the people. His heart was in the right place. But even King Jehoshaphat, as courageous in the ways of the Lord as he was, could be influenced to "help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord (see verse 2)."
It is not just those in public office who need to let the fear of God settle upon them. None of us are above being bribed or turned away from God. Not one of us can truly throw the first stone. No one is that good.
God, give us courage to remain true to you, letting the fear of you fall upon us so that we can all be courageous in your ways. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
How I wish someone had said this to some of our local and state politicians. I don't think I have picked up a newspaper lately without some new report of a mayor, commissioner, judge, state senator or other government employee taking a bribe. Some of these have been in the forms of campaign contributions or loans but a few have been outright gifts. There seems to be little fear of the Lord not to mention integrity among those serving in public office.
Why is that? Are people just more greedy these days? Or are they simply apathetic?
In the time of King Jehoshaphat of Jerusalem, the king's responsibilities included bringing folks back to God. In fact, Jehoshaphat was a good king. He got rid of those pagan places of worship and had the book of the law read to the people. His heart was in the right place. But even King Jehoshaphat, as courageous in the ways of the Lord as he was, could be influenced to "help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord (see verse 2)."
It is not just those in public office who need to let the fear of God settle upon them. None of us are above being bribed or turned away from God. Not one of us can truly throw the first stone. No one is that good.
God, give us courage to remain true to you, letting the fear of you fall upon us so that we can all be courageous in your ways. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Friday, January 15, 2010
Power Corrupts
Yearly Reading: Exodus 7-11
But as for you and your officials, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God. Exodus 9: 30 NRSV
Local, state, national and international leadership are all in the same boat with Pharaoh and his advisers: they do not fear God.
I think we can all agree that once someone has a position of power in government, they tend to believe they are greater than the rest of us. And it really doesn't matter what party they belong to! In fact, I would say that they tend to see themselves as gods. Power doesn't just corrupt - it completely changes the worldview of those who hold it.
This is just like Pharaoh and his officials. They have no fear of God. In fact, Egyptians believed that Pharaoh was a god. I suppose Pharaoh saw himself as superior to this Hebrew God whose people were Pharaoh's slaves. However, his magicians as well as many of the "regular" folk do seem to have come to at least have a healthy respect of this God of the Hebrews.
I think we need to constantly pray for all of our leaders: that they may have softened hearts and fear God. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
But as for you and your officials, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God. Exodus 9: 30 NRSV
Local, state, national and international leadership are all in the same boat with Pharaoh and his advisers: they do not fear God.
I think we can all agree that once someone has a position of power in government, they tend to believe they are greater than the rest of us. And it really doesn't matter what party they belong to! In fact, I would say that they tend to see themselves as gods. Power doesn't just corrupt - it completely changes the worldview of those who hold it.
This is just like Pharaoh and his officials. They have no fear of God. In fact, Egyptians believed that Pharaoh was a god. I suppose Pharaoh saw himself as superior to this Hebrew God whose people were Pharaoh's slaves. However, his magicians as well as many of the "regular" folk do seem to have come to at least have a healthy respect of this God of the Hebrews.
I think we need to constantly pray for all of our leaders: that they may have softened hearts and fear God. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
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