GOD'S WORD DAILY

Thought for the day:

"We can forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is
when men are afraid of the light. "---Plato
     Contributed by Sarah McGraw

We will begin a new series today about fearing the Lord our God. Our theme verses will be
Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14:

     " Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his
     commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

     For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
     whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

Seldom do I get to begin a topic using a verse that could be used to summarize it! This verse grabs my
attention and alerts me to three main points: 1."What is my purpose for living, what is my duty?"
2. "Why should I care so much about my conduct?" 3. "Unspoken words, leanings of my heart and
secret sins don't matter as much as my actions or do they?"

If the conclusion is "Fear God and keep His commandments," then what is the question? The question
is: "Why fear God?" These scriptures give the reason. Fear God because every work, and every secret
thing, will be brought to God's judgment, whether it is good or evil.

This is a very compelling reason! That is why we will begin to explore HOW to fear God. It does little
good to know we need to do something but lack the information needed to do it! What good is it to a
construction worker if he knows he needs to frame up a wall, but he lacks the knowledge how to do so?
Likewise, we need to know HOW to fear God so we frame our doings according to God's Word.

What does it mean to fear God? Is it a quake- in -your -boots emotional blood- curdling fear? I think
that if I am at the judgment seat of Christ as a non practicing Christian, or a God -rejecter, I may
feel fearful like that! But this is not what knid of fear this study is about.

To fear God is to reverence him, awe him, love him.

Webster's Dictionary defines reverence: " a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe;
veneration…. To regard or treat with reverence."

We are accountable to God for our thoughts, words and actions. We regard and treat God with
reverence only when we keep his commandments. What can I compare with reverencing God? Do
you remember how your earthly daddy wowed you with his presence when you were very, very
young? Did you anticipate his arrival home from that place called "work" at the end of each
day and were you awed at his size, his mannerisms, his authority? Did you pick up your toys
just because he said to do so, just to please him? Did you ever fear his wrath when mother
said, "Wait until your father gets home?"

Similarly, when Jesus comes back to bring us home into God's presence, we will be held accountable
for every secret thing and every work whether it is good or evil. That puts the fear of the Lord in me!
I respect his authority and I desire to please him. I love God and want to do his will by keeping His
commandments. I do not want to lose any rewards I might otherwise receive had I just built more
faithfully upon the foundation, Christ Jesus.

Please read I Corinthians 3:13-15, and 2 Corinthians 5:9-15 for more clarity and understanding.
The Amplified Bible reads well.

Tomorrow we will look at individual components of fearing God. But first, let us hear the
conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments. That is our duty.
We will be held accountable. Jesus is coming back sooner than we think.

-Carol Kenreigh