Blessed Is The Man

BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO FEARS THE LORD, WHO FINDS GREAT DELIGHT IN HIS COMMANDS. Psalm 112.1.

‘Fear the LORD’ is not something we often hear in our churches today. Consequently ‘the fear of God’ is not apparent in our hearts and lives! That is the tragedy of today’s generation. We are taken up with the ‘love of God’ all the time that we have forgotten, no, we have not even heard so much about ‘the fear of God’. It is no wonder that you and I have greatly lost ‘our reverence of God’! It is apparent in every aspect of our lives. Because of the lack of the fear of God, we take no delight in His commandments. We do not bother to keep them. The wise King Solomon said long ago, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov 9.10).

You and I easily and thoughtlessly break the commandments of God because we have no fear of Him. Our hearty and exuberant singing and shouting before a God of love, though it is becoming the saints, have created in us the impression that ‘anything and everything goes with Him!’ We have accepted the attitude that it doesn’t matter ‘how we conduct ourselves’ in His sanctuary or in the homes or workplace, once we have ‘done our worshipping!’

The Scripture clearly teaches what our attitude should be before our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY! We are taught, “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; For great is the LORD … he is to be feared above all gods. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth… for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth” (Psa 96.1-13).

What has happened today in our relationship with God is what we see in our family relationships too! Until a generation ago, children loved their parents and feared them. Today, in our eagerness to ‘befriend our children’ (taught by modern psychology), we have failed to inculcate in our youngsters the fear and respect for parents, teachers and elders. A child being a child, fails to understand the ‘double role’ his parents try to play, one of parenthood and the other of friendship.

But you are mature and intelligent and are taught by the Scriptures. You need to develop a healthy understanding and relationship with our ALMIGHTY GOD AND FATHER IN HEAVEN. You must learn to ‘love your God with all your heart’ and develop a loving relationship. You must also learn ‘to fear God’ and reverence Him.

You should fear the LORD not so much because you are afraid or terrified of Him, even though the Name of God and His presence should evoke awe in You! You should fear the LORD out of love for Him as Father God. Then, you will find great delight in His commands.

Look at the great blessings the LORD will have for you: Your children will be mighty in the land and they will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in your house. Your righteousness will endure forever.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to love and fear You. Teach me when to express my love and adoration. Let me not forget that You are to be feared and obeyed. Amen.