Fear God AloneSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: Are you living in fear of God or in the fear of man? Commit yourself to God. The peace of God will then abide in you. Fear God alone. Discard all that is evil and not pleasing in the eyes of the Lord. Today in our society we find not even one person to be trustworthy; the husband cannot be trusted, the wife cannot be relied upon, children and relatives are all updependable. Money makes people do anything. So we live miserable lives, languishing in fear and frustration. But the Bible says, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18).
My dear friend, you may also be living amidst such fear, insecurity, loneliness, agony and tears. So was the life of Hagar, soaked in tears. Rejected by Abraham and Sarah, she was pining in the desert with her only child. There was nobody to help her.
Even today, many people write to us, "Nobody is able to heal me. All doctors have forsaken me." "I have been abandoned by my family." "I have been rejected by my office as unwanted." "There is darkness wherever I turn." "There is no happiness anywhere."
Hagar also would have cried, "There was just this one child to cheer me up. Now that child is also fighting for his life. If he gets a little water to drink, his life can be saved." The Lord who saw her anguish said to her, "Fear not! Hagar" (Genesis 21:17).
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
My dear friend, even today, the same unchanging Lord tells you, "My little child, fear not!"
Hagar did not even call the Lord. She cried from one direction and the child cried from another. The Lord, with His abounding love, came down to Hagar who was weeping in loneliness.
"God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land." (Psalm 68:6)
"For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness." (Psalm 107:9)
"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate." (Proverbs 8:13)
I quote the above verses after having experienced them in my life. The Lord who chose me in my youth, leads me even today. He does not love us for our truth or our faithfulness, but it is purely because God is faithful.
"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." (2 Timothy 2:13)
Zacchaeus sought God eagerly. He had not received the Lord's salvation till then. Yet, he loved Him and desired to see Him somehow. The Lord who knew the longing in his heart came and stood before him. Then He went into the house of Zacchaeus with him. My dear friend, if you seek Him genuinelly, Jesus will come to you. Zacchaeus did not invite Jesus, but Jesus came seeking him and went to his house. He said, "Today salvation has come to this house" (Luke 19:9). When you invite Him. He will enter your house bringing in the joy of salvation and peace.
"The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them." (Psalm 34:7).
"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)
Friend, do you live in fear of God or in fear of man? Commit yourself to God. The peace of God will then abide in you and then in your family. Fear God alone. Discard all that is evil and not pleasing in the eyes of the Lord! God will then love you. You may be frail and feeble, but it is the God of gods who can give you the strength you need. So, fear not! God will help you in every way. Be diligent in walking close by Him. When you fear God and walk in His ways, He will surely be with you.
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father,
I know and strongly believe that You are the God of peace, God of love and God of mercies. Today I come to Your feet with all humility seeking Your blessings. Take away all the fear from my heart and make me ever feel light and happy. When Your love comes in fear flies out. Help me to overcome the unwanted fear that torments me. Help me to fear You alone and walk in righteousness. I praise You for answering all my prayers. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen.
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