Contemplation #217
Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious. Proverbs 24:21
The fear of God is a subject that often makes us uncomfortable, and for good reason. Too frequently human distortion has caused us to associate the fear of God with a circumstance where we terrified of God; where there is a lack of love, security, peace, and goodness. However, the real meaning of fearing the Lord is defined in this wise saying as the opposite of rebellion. To have fidelity and loyalty to the Lord, as the king, is to live in fear of the Lord. Let us fear the Lord as submissive and true subjects who live obediently rather than rebel against our King.
Contemplation #218
Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious. Proverbs 24:21
The enticing invitation of the rebellious is constantly before us. Our first defense must be the recognition of rebellion for what it is. There are so many ways in which we may leave our submission to God: through willfulness, through ambition, by our plans and devices, and in all types of disobedience. Persistence in any of these constitutes a rebelliousness against God. Often the counsel of others, given as prudent advice, is actually an invitation to join the rebellious . . . who live by their own wits rather than in submission to God.
Contemplation #219
Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious. Proverbs 24:21
The fear of the Lord is not primarily a feeling or emotion we have toward God, but a way of living. We typically think of fear as a cold dread in the pit of our being, or a sense of fright that sweeps over us as a shudder. The counsel of wisdom is about a fear that is expressed not in the feeling of dread or fright, but in a manner of willing what is good, thinking what is holy, and acting in obedience and humility toward God. To fear the Lord is to live in a specific way of respect toward the will of God.
Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious. Proverbs 24:21
The fear of God is a subject that often makes us uncomfortable, and for good reason. Too frequently human distortion has caused us to associate the fear of God with a circumstance where we terrified of God; where there is a lack of love, security, peace, and goodness. However, the real meaning of fearing the Lord is defined in this wise saying as the opposite of rebellion. To have fidelity and loyalty to the Lord, as the king, is to live in fear of the Lord. Let us fear the Lord as submissive and true subjects who live obediently rather than rebel against our King.
Contemplation #218
Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious. Proverbs 24:21
The enticing invitation of the rebellious is constantly before us. Our first defense must be the recognition of rebellion for what it is. There are so many ways in which we may leave our submission to God: through willfulness, through ambition, by our plans and devices, and in all types of disobedience. Persistence in any of these constitutes a rebelliousness against God. Often the counsel of others, given as prudent advice, is actually an invitation to join the rebellious . . . who live by their own wits rather than in submission to God.
Contemplation #219
Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious. Proverbs 24:21
The fear of the Lord is not primarily a feeling or emotion we have toward God, but a way of living. We typically think of fear as a cold dread in the pit of our being, or a sense of fright that sweeps over us as a shudder. The counsel of wisdom is about a fear that is expressed not in the feeling of dread or fright, but in a manner of willing what is good, thinking what is holy, and acting in obedience and humility toward God. To fear the Lord is to live in a specific way of respect toward the will of God.
posted by Greg at 10:49 AM
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