[Anglican Devotional 15 August 2023] Topic: Fear God
TOPIC: Fear God
READ: Jeremiah 5:20-31 (NKJV)
” Declare this in the house of Jacob And proclaim it in Judah, saying,
‘Hear this now, O foolish people, Without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, And who have ears and hear not:
Do you not fear Me?’ says the LORD. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, Yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it.
But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; They have revolted and departed.
They do not say in their heart, “Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.”
Your iniquities have turned these [things] away, And your sins have withheld good from you.
‘For among My people are found wicked [men;] They lie in wait as one who sets snares; They set a trap; They catch men.
As a cage is full of birds, So their houses [are] full of deceit. Therefore they have become great and grown rich.
They have grown fat, they are sleek; Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the fatherless; Yet they prosper, And the right of the needy they do not defend.
Shall I not punish [them] for these [things?’] says the LORD. ‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’
” An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land:
The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their [own] power; And My people love [to have it] so. But what will you do in the end?
THE MESSAGE:
To fear God involves having a sound knowledge of God’s love, justice, mercy and righteousness, and relating with Him based on this knowledge. It demands giving due reference and honour to God because of His majesty, greatness and splendour. The fear of the Lord comes with understanding that sin attracts serious punishment from God. A person who fears God would tremble at His words, trust His promises and take His warnings seriously. In today’s passage, God was displeased with the people because they neither feared Him nor did they tremble at His presence. The people were neck deep in wrongdoing and were accused of being wicked, deceitful and oppressive. Their Prophets, who were supposed to teach them God’s word, rejected God’s counsel, failed in their responsibilities and prophesied lies. God pointed it out through Prophet Jeremiah that their failure to fear Him had denied them of good things.
God loves you deeply as an individual. He has wonderful intentions and plans for your life. It is only required of you to fear Him and walk in His ways. “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy” (Psalm 33:18).
THOUGHT: The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant (Psalm 25:14).
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