1 Kings 7:1-51
Acts 7:30-50
Psalm 128:1-6
Proverbs 16:31-33
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CityLight Pastor Commentary:
“Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways” (Ps 128:1). Fear has a negative connotation. If we’re afraid of spiders, we stay away from them. If we’re afraid of public speaking, we conquer that fear with confrontation. Fear is always something to avoid or overcome. But fear of God is something to embrace. When the Bible tells us to ‘fear’ God, it means that we should have a reverence and profound respect for Him. To further explain in terms we can understand, the Psalmist draws a parallel between earthly fathers and our heavenly Father: “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him” (Ps 103:13). If earthly children are frightened by their fathers, we have reason to suspect abuse. There is something wrong. Earthly children should never be afraid of their fathers: they should have a reverence, respect and desire to honor them. In return, earthly fathers love their children through their faults and inconsistencies. God loves us the same way. Despite our faults, failures and immaturity, we appropriate His love for us when we give Him the respect He deserves.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that You are not an abusive Dad! You are caring, kind, loving and merciful. Thank You that I can relate to You as any child relates to a father: with complete openness and transparency!