Those who Fear

www.bible.com/1713/psa.103.13.csb

What is your perception of God like? Is He in close fellowship with you? Or is God distant, standoffish, and disapproving? Are you nervous about when God finally comes in judgment, or do you welcome it, insofar as you anticipate what He’s going to to all those wicked sinners?

It is no coincidence that our perception of God is not unlike the perception of our own fathers. In fact, one plays directly into the other, which is why many people who have “daddy” issues also have God issues. It isn’t by accident either, as our fathers have the task of representing God to us. This comes up in the Ten Commandments when we are told to respect our father and our mother. Why these two in particular? Because our respect for these two bleed over into our veneration of who God is and our respect for authority in general.

This is why we need good fathers, men who will protect us and counsel us, men who will discipline us when we need it, and encourage us when we falter. We need men who model God, and who instill a fear of God in us. When we have no “fear” of our father, meaning we aren’t scared of disappointing him, or fear his anger, we also lose our fear of the same in God.

I would encourage you to seek God’s presence in your life. You have greater responsibilities than just existing from day to day. He has called you to higher purposes, and you can hear His voice when you condition it your hearing through prayer and Bible reading. I encourage you to spend time in each every day to be able to hear the “still small voice” of the Lord.

Lord Jesus, I just need You today. I don’t need money, fame, or any distractions. Let me wholly be devoted to Your leading and direction. Let my mind and my heart wholly fear You, affording You the respect and awe that is already yours. You are God. And I need to me reminded of this every day. Thank You Jesus, for it is in Your Name I pray, Amen.