Fear of GodSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: Our God is an embodiment of great love and compassion. When you fear and obey Him, He will grant you rich blessings. He knows your heart's desires and yearnings. He will fulfill all your desires. We should have the fear of God. Fear does not mean the mortal fear. God is an embodiment of love, grace and compassion. We should hate evil to please God. The Bible says "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil." (Proverbs 8:13 ; Psalm 31:19)
Oh, how great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You and the presence of the sons of men!"
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7)
Many years back, God allowed us to pass through the valley of poverty. We had to face financial problem at the end of every month. At that time, Brother Dhinakaran was working in a bank. Once, when he was getting ready for the office, he found a big hole in the socks. He was quite upset over it. He never grudged but he simply wore it and went to the office. When he returned home from the office in the evening, a brother came to see him. He said, "Brother, a friend of mine has come from Australia. He gave me two pairs of socks and asked me to give one to you." When my husband heard it, his eyes were filled with tears and said, "I failed to realise that God is mindful of me. He has sent the socks immediately, as if He has sent it from Heaven."
Dear friend, you too may feel sad at times and say, "Woe! We have only little rice, even at the beginning of the month. We have no money." But God knows your intentions and He is with you always. Because you place your trust in Him, He will surely hold your hand and lead you in a miraculous way.
Once the Lord Jesus Christ went through the city of Samaria. He met a woman near a well and talked with her. People thought that she was a sinful woman. But Lord Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband and come here" (John 4:16). She replied, "I have no husband." Jesus said, "You have well said." She was much impressed by His words.
Immediately, she left her water pot and went into the city and told the people, "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (John 4:29). She was branded as a 'sinner'. The people who accused her would have thought that they were leading a righteous life. Jesus came in search of her and granted her the grace to listen to His teachings, because she was honest in confessing that she did not have a husband. If we are faithful over few things, God will give us manifold blessings.
Dear friend, you may think, "Nobody is worried about me. Everybody have their parents, but I do not have anyone to share my feelings." Do not be dismayed! God knows your sufferings, mental agony and needs. That is why, He came in search of the Samaritan woman. She told everybody about Jesus and many believed in Him. Jesus blessed her and granted her the fear of God because she accepted Him gladly.
Few years ago, we conducted Jesus Calls campaign at the city of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Many came and testified the miracles that they have received. One among them was a twenty years old girl named Shymala. She shared her testimony with tears. Her mother and sister told her that she had to come into the Lord's fold and become His child. So, they wanted her to attend the meeting. But out of compulsion, she attended the meeting. When she heard the word of God, her heart was broken into smithereens. At the time of prayer, God spoke to her through Brother Paul Dhinakaran calling her name and said, "Shymala, God loves you. He wants to make you His daughter." When she heard that, she trembled and a fear gripped her. On the other hand, she could not suppress her joy. So, she came forward and said with tears, "I came here without knowing God. But, today God called me by my name and made me His beloved child."
Dear friend, God looks at our heart. Though we hear about Him, we fail to accept Him as our personal Saviour. We go to church regularly. But, have we accepted Christ? Let us analyse ourselves. Only when we accept Him, we get the fear of God. If God speaks to you, tell Him, "Lord, I commit myself to you. Come into my heart today. Lord, grant me Your grace to become Your child and enable me to live for You." Definitely, He will enter your heart and fill it with His divine wisdom.
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Help me to love and fear You. Forgive all my sins and shortcomings and cleanse me with Your precious blood. Come into my heart right now. Help me to a be strong in my faith and believe that You are there to love me and care for me. Make me your beloved child. Transform my heart and my life. I commit myself entirely into Your loving hands. I make this humble prayer through Christ Jesus, my Lord.
Amen. |