Day 68 – The Blessing of Fear
Psalm 112:1, 7-8 Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments. … He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is upheld, he will not fear, Until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries.
Story: To fear the LORD is a blessing, both because it’s a gift and because of the results. I would not fear the LORD or delight in His commandments unless Jesus had first worked graciously on my heart. I need the LORD to fear the LORD; I can’t do this on my own resolve. But then, the results also come in as a blessing; I have an inner peace and security in the surprise moment of evil. I will be affected, but my trust in the LORD will not be shaken. Which goes back to this being God’s gift, because the only reason I can be upheld in heart is by His faithful and powerful hand!
My Prayer Response: Father, how much I need You. And how much You give and supply over and over again! I do like to think well of myself and what I can accomplish. Yet in truth, I depend on You. So, as I struggle with fear, I call on You to help me, bless me, uphold and secure me. Step by step, piece by piece, transform me to fear You day after day after day. Thank You that You are more than capable and willing of bringing this to pass!
May the LORD make your heart steadfast today!
Day 69 – All Can Fear The LORD
Psalm 115:11, 13 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. He will bless those who fear the Lord, The small together with the great.
Story: These two verses are part of a sequence of people from Israel, then to the house of Aaron (or the priests as the spiritual leadership in Israel), and then to those who fear the LORD. In v. 9-11, each of these groups are to trust in the LORD as their help and shield, in contrast with idols of silver and gold (v. 4-8). Because the LORD is trustworthy, and He delivers and protects His people, the next sequence focuses on confidence in God’s future blessings – He will bless us. No matter what anyone’s position in society, even the small and great can have this personal relationship with the LORD, receiving His protection and blessing!
My Prayer Response: Father, thank You for being real and trustworthy. You are my help, my shield day after day. You will bless me, my family, my church. Bless also my city, my state, my country. Let all, small and great, enter into this trusting relationship with You through Jesus Christ.
May the LORD be your help and shield today!
Day 70 – The LORD Is For Me
Psalm 118:4, 6 Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?
Story: “O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever” starts and ends this Psalm, which gives us also the main point. As in Psalm 115, a sequence of people from Israel to the house of Aaron to those who fear the LORD join in saying aloud this main point. Not as a ritual or as rote, but out of personal experience. The Psalmist then shares his own experience of goodness and love of the LORD towards him, delivering him from surrounding nations. Thus, he has personally learned this truth – the LORD is for me; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
My Prayer Response: Father, You are for me. Wow! You are in favor towards me. And You made that choice. You brought me to Yourself in Jesus! So nothing about my life, even when surrounded by enemies and difficulties, happens apart from Your control and Your love. Please, let me hid verse 6 in my heart so that in times of fear, I will remember that You are for me!
May you know that the LORD is for you today!
Day 71 – A Fearful Man Makes For A Blessed Family
Psalm 128:1, 4 “How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. … Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord.”
Story: As a song of ascents, these verses would be repeated by the people of Israel in their trips to Jerusalem. Psalm 128 describes the godly family, which starts with a man who fears the LORD. With this fear at the center of this man, this fear also becomes the center of the family and leads to blessing for his work (v. 2), his wife (v. 3a), his children (v. 3b), his grandchildren (v. 6), and his nation (v. 5, 6). To fear the LORD is to walk in His ways. So, we could summarize that the one thing necessary for a blessed family is a man who fears the LORD and walks in His ways.
My Prayer Response: Father, I want these blessings for my family and my nation, so give me grace to fear You. I want these blessings for the men in my church, so give them grace to fear You. Teach us to walk in Your ways, knowing and obeying Your Word.
May you enjoy the blessings of fearing the LORD today!
Day 72 – Forgiven Fear
Psalm 130:3-4 If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.
Story: Another song Israel sang as they traveled to worship in Jerusalem was about the mercy and forgiveness of the LORD. Psalm 130 starts in the depths, with a sense of misery, difficulty, and desperation. Only the LORD can rescue. But what if our misery is caused by our sin against the LORD? Will He still rescue? Yes, there is forgiveness with the LORD so that He is feared. Thus, each person needs to hope for and wait for the LORD, because only He can forgive, rescue, and redeem. Israel needs to hope for and wait for the LORD, because only He can forgive, rescue and redeem His people.
My Prayer Response: Father, thank You for forgiving me of my sin. Truly, if You should keep track, the total would be overwhelming. But even in the misery and difficulties caused by my own sin, You forgive, rescue, and redeem. I don’t deserve such love and kindness. Thank You for giving this to me in Your Son, Jesus. You marked my iniquities upon Him so that from You, I should receive forgiveness and mercy! Thank You!
May you savor the forgiveness of the LORD today!