Read Psalms 81
Highlights:
Prayer for the poor and fatherless; David's longing for the Lord; his desire to walk in Truth; goodness and power of God.
Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy Truth: unite my heart to fear Thy Name (Ps. 86:11).
Godly fear is an attitude of awe and reverence toward God. It deepens our sense of humility and leads us to see how unworthy we are of His love — so we pray: Teach me Thy Way, O Lord. David recognized that his heart was divided and needed to be whole and submitted to God. He yearned to know God's teachings because without them he would go astray. Once his heart was whole he could praise . . . God with all my (his) heart (86:12).
The Lord is always faithful to answer those that pray as David did. He wants us to follow Him in everything we do. God desires us to walk in His ways. The Lord wants us to keep His Commandments. If this is the life we seek to live, it will be a blessed life. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour (John 12:26).
Once we understand the fear of God, we are released from lesser fears which destroy our peace. Those who are afraid of God either do not understand Him, or they are living in rebellion against Him. If our lives are in harmony with God, we have no reason to be afraid of Him. God loves His children with a pure and holy love that truly only He can understand. He has great plans for those who are His. We need not fear the world or the devil. These things have no power over the true believer. Even though at times our enemies attempt to lead us to fear, we need just remember that they are already defeated. These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (16:33).
This is not to say we should not have a reverent fear of God. God is the holder of life. It is to Him we look for our soul's eternal life. The fear (awe, reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Prov. 1:7).
A holy fear of God is the result of walking in Thy Truth — it is not being afraid of God, for the Holy Spirit reveals Him as our loving Father, seeking only our good. Perfect love casteth out fear (I John 4:18). Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song (Is. 12:2).
Thought for Today:
We belong to the Lord because of the great price He paid for us.
Christ Revealed:
By Jerusalem, from where the psalmist declared that all of the springs (sources) of joy and happiness flow (Ps. 87:7). Jesus is the Source of our joy as the angel announced at His birth (Luke 2:10). Jesus also declared: These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11).
Word Studies:
82:1 the gods, earthly rulers and judges; 82:4 rid, rescue; 82:5 foundations . . . out of course, administration of justice is ignored; 82:6 gods, My representatives; 83:2 lifted up the head, exalted themselves.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Government Officials: Rep. Dave Camp (MI), Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ), and Sen. Lindsey Graham (SC) • Country: Luxembourg (429,000) in western Europe • Major languages: Luxembourgish and German • Religious freedom • 84% Roman Catholic; 2% Protestant; .1% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to deliver you from willful sins (Ps. 19:13).
Optional Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:7