Proverbs 19:23, “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by
trouble.”
Proverbs 16:16, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than
silver!
Matthew 28:4-5, “The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like
dead men. The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.’”
Romans 11:17-24, “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a
wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root
of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is
not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say,
‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ That is true. They were broken
off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud,
but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen,
but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will
be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for
God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a
wild olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into
their own olive tree.”
In the last two devotionals we touched mostly on the believe aspect of the “Belief and Fear” theme. Today we want to focus on the other side, fear. I imagine there was fear in the moneychangers when Jesus tore through the temple knocking tables over and telling them they were in his house doing things they shouldn’t. He was clearly taking charge seemingly out of the blue and making wild claims that he was the Son of God and this was to be his house, a house of prayer.
In Matthew 28:4-5 we also see this kind of fear in the guards at Jesus’ tomb. They were
terrified of the angel that came and spoke to the women. That is one kind of fear. There is a place for terrifying fear, but also for reverent fear. In Psalm 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who do his commands have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.” Fear in this verse means to respect God and to be in awe of him. It encourages us to obey him, and in the process we gain wisdom and understanding. Proverbs says our fear of the Lord brings us wisdom and life.
The passage in Romans is talking about Jews and Gentiles. Read it in that context and it
will be clear the “they” and “natural branches” are referring to the nation of Israel, the
Jews. The passage is written to the Gentiles. (v. 13). This passage can incite fear in both
directions: awe-inspiring fear of God that he has given us a way to salvation through his
Son, and through our witness he can extend salvation to his chosen people; and, a terrifying fear to those who were the ‘natural branches’ because they have been cutoff and will stay broken off until they relinquish their pride (v. 20, 23) and accept salvation.
There are some pretty big thoughts in this passage for us to reflect upon. “Do not be arrogant toward the branches…” (v. 18). Paul is reminding us that yes, we have been
blessed with the gift of grace, mercy and salvation and the Jews have been cutoff. But
God reserves the right to graft his chosen back into the tree at any time. We are not
more important than they. We don’t have a right to become proud (v. 20). They were cutoff so we could be ‘grafted in’ (v. 19). He tells us to fear—be in awe and respect God.
He gives us two opposing sides: the kindness of God and the severity of God. God is
judge over the sinful, and he shows no partiality. He didn’t spare his people from the cost and consequences of their sinful life and will not spare us if we choose it (v. 21). Conversely, he is kind to those who continue to follow him (v. 22). It isn’t a game of obey and be blessed, disobey and be cursed. That’s not how God works.
Here are a few verses showing how God universally and unilaterally blesses everyone. Matthew 5:45, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Psalm 145:9, “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” Acts 14:17, “He has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
It boils down to our commitment to God in our daily life. How faithful are we to building and growing our relationship with him? The “fear of the Lord” provides us with the necessary reverence and respect to keep us in check against a sinful life and unwise choices. Our continued awe of God brings us in line with God’s plan for our life and leads to a more peaceful and victorious Christian life.
We never learn it all or understand it all. It is a constant process of growing, learning, growing and learning, which makes digging into God’s Word and having a consistent prayer life central to our relationship with Christ.
Romans chapter 11 will be helpful to you today, Read it in light of what we have learned here today about this chapter. If it seems a little out of place as you begin reading it, back up to the last part of chapter 10. Allow the “fear of the Lord”, his awesomeness to inspire you today.
Continue memorizing Jeremiah 29:11, “…’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
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