THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND THE BLESSINGS
PSALM 34:9-14 NKJ
PSALM 34:9-14 NKJ
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
It's a real thing for many to connect the fear of the Lord with the hammer is about to drop. Fear the Lord or else bad things could happen to you.
But that's not what the scriptures teach. The fear of the Lord is not ducking His hand coming down to swat us. Rather it is a serious respect for God and His ways.
David, speaking by inspiration, states that there is no want or lack to those who fear God. Even the young lions, the strongest of the strong, lack and go hungry. But those who seek God will not lack any good thing. So, with our heart of respect and honor for God, we are not waiting for the hammer to drop; we are expecting the blessings to come.
We are then instructed as to how to fear the Lord. This will produce life and good days. And it's not as hard as some would make it. Keep your words from being evil and deceitful. Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace with God and others and go after that path.
Rather simple instructions that we can all do. God never asks us to do the impossible just to trust Him and walk with Him. He does the impossible, not us.
APPLICATION:
So, fearing God will involve our words and our ways. Out of respect for God we monitor what we say and what we do. David was not perfect, but he was a man who feared God. And God blessed David. We may not have David's job function, but we have the same God who will help us just as He did David. Our part is to respect and trust. God's part is the protection, blessings, and deliverance.
The fear of God does not close the door on your living life. It does open the door to God's blessings.
PRAYER:
Father, I trust You and seek You in my life. There is no one more deserving of my respect. Thank You for Your goodness and Your blessings in my life
PRAYER:
Father, I trust You and seek You in my life. There is no one more deserving of my respect. Thank You for Your goodness and Your blessings in my life.