THE STANDARD
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.” Psalm 36:2, NLT
Theme: The fear of God allows us to see ourselves clearly.
A WEEK OF MEMORIES
As I was at my parents’ home this week due to my father’s death, we were looking through picture albums, annuals, and other books for information and photos. In the memory book we put together for their fiftieth anniversary, each child and grandchild wrote them a letter to be printed in the book. (No surprise that the daughters and granddaughters wrote huge epistles compared to the male family members! Same powerful thoughts, but far wordier!) In my letter, I thanked them for their godly example. I noted that I wasn’t always perfect or sinless, but I always KNEW the standard of behavior they (and God) expected.
Though I didn’t say it then, I mostly behaved because I feared the consequences of disobedience. I also feared their hurt and displeasure. The “fear” I had was a strong deterrent to sin. That same fear spared me many mistakes and not only the consequences of my parents’ censure, but of the sin itself.
A HEALTHY FEAR OF GOD
God’s standard of righteousness should also help us see our goal and the high expectations of living as a follower of Jesus. It also clearly reveals how far short we fall of that mark, even if we are trying to do the right thing. The Word of God says the Law was given to show us how to live rightly, but also show how we cannot do it ourselves. We often make mistakes, and we occasionally and deliberately sin in defiance of God. When we do, the fear of God brings about conviction.
The fear that God desires does not result in cringing and terror. We should not be reduced to running and hiding from God, as Adam did in the Garden of Eden. When you are tempted to do so, stop and turn back toward Him. He is convicting you because He loves you and He has a better plan. He is reminding you of His presence and the way back to Himself. He is helping you remember the total forgiveness and rescue from sin granted to us by the death of Jesus.
Make It Personal: When we treat those in authority without proper respect, even fear, we put ourselves in danger of serious mistakes and consequences. Do you regard God as the lovable Granddad upstairs, or as a stern judge? He is so much more than either of these extremes: love incomparable along with justice and holiness that we cannot imagine. Seek out the True and Living God. Commit your ways to Him and trust His loving example.
Pray: Father God, thank You for loving me. Thank You for setting standards and holding me accountable. Your guidelines and standards provide guardrails and have resulted in an incredibly good life. Help me remember, when I am off Your path and feeling guilty, that there is always a way home to You. The Way is Jesus and in His Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Galatians 3:23-25; Romans 7:7, 12, 21-25; Isaiah 53:6; 1 John 1:8-9
Weekly Memory Verse: “Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God to restrain them.” Psalm 36:1, NLT