I remember when I was in the sixth grade, I had a very good teacher that commanded the respect of every student. She was caring, but also kept strict discipline in the classroom. When she came in the room students became quiet and made sure they were seated at their desks. She was a very popular teacher that enabled her students to be successful.
We live in a society where many people don’t have a righteous fear of God and that attitude affects every part of their life. We see this manifesting in acts of rebellion that seems be spreading like wildfire. What is a righteous fear of God? “When the Bible refers to the fear of the Lord, it means having a deep respect, reverence and awe for God’s power and authority. Rather than causing someone to be afraid of God, a proper fear of the Lord leads one to love Him.[1]
With a righteous fear of the Lord I desire to be led by the Holy Spirit and to follow the Lord’s commandments. I understand the consequences of disobedience and I want to please the Lord above all else. This does not mean I don’t sin or fall short, but it does mean I strive to move forward along my spiritual journey.
When I don’t have a righteous fear of God, I don’t restrict my sinful nature and am deceived into thinking God does not care or that my actions will not have any consequences. If satan can deceive you into thinking God does not care what you are doing, he has successfully convinced you to walk down the road of destruction. Many people in today’s world do not fear God and if they don’t repent it will have eternal consequences.
Job had a righteous fear of God as we learn from our story. Job 1:6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.” 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” [2]
A righteous fear of God affected Job and his daily behavior. The author of Job tells us he was blameless and upright as well as shunned evil.
What about you? Do you have a righteous fear of God? If so, how has that changed the way you live? If not, how would having a righteous fear of God change your life for the better?
Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to have a righteous fear of you so I can be all that you want me to be in this lifetime. Thank you, Jesus, for giving your life for me and calling me into a relationship with you. Help me Jesus to be a blessing to others. Amen.
Our ministry loves to connect with our readers. If you have a prayer request or a comment, please let us know. Also, if this devotional helped you, please share it with others. To learn more about the story of Job, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hope-when-tested
[1] https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-god/fear-of-the-lord/, accessed June 22, 2020.
[2] The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (Job 1:6–8). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.