HAVE A HEALTHY FEAR OF GOD AS MARY DID
Luke 1:26-38
I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say. v. 38
Before her confession of faith in verse 38, Mary responded with fear." She was deeply troubled by the angel's words, and wondered what his meaning meant." Gabriel then instructed her, "Do not fear, Mary. You have found favor with God."
RESPOND WITH AWE-FILLED FEAR
Scripture tells us: (1) "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge," and (2) "Perfect love casts out all fear." In this we see that fear can be either compelling or crippling. Somewhere between these two extremes is wisdom. In all the infancy narratives, the servants of God responded with an awe-filled fear. In all the accounts, the angel of the Lord said, "Be not afraid." Once we know God's love, crippling fear leaves.
QUESTION WITHOUT LOSING FAITH
The psalmist wrote, "I pondered and my spirit questioned." It is alright to question God and to ponder as long as it is done in faith rather than doubt. An obedient child questions its parents in good faith, believing it will receive a helpful answer. A rebellious child questions in order to challenge a parent's authority and knowledge. Both question. One is obedient and faithful while the other is rebellious and full of doubt. Mary questioned, but she never lost faith. She modeled faith for us and showed us how to question without losing faith, without losing heart when the physical world seems to contradict the promises given by the Spirit.
FEAR GOD IN A HEALTHY WAY
There is a big difference between being afraid of God and possessing the fear of God which leads to wisdom. If we fear God in a healthy way as Mary did, we will discover his love, which casts out all fear. Sometimes we are full of doubts, yet we journey towards faith without despair.
John Michael Talbot
Photo of The Annunciation by El Greco, in the public domain
RESPOND WITH AWE-FILLED FEAR
Scripture tells us: (1) "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge," and (2) "Perfect love casts out all fear." In this we see that fear can be either compelling or crippling. Somewhere between these two extremes is wisdom. In all the infancy narratives, the servants of God responded with an awe-filled fear. In all the accounts, the angel of the Lord said, "Be not afraid." Once we know God's love, crippling fear leaves.
QUESTION WITHOUT LOSING FAITH
The psalmist wrote, "I pondered and my spirit questioned." It is alright to question God and to ponder as long as it is done in faith rather than doubt. An obedient child questions its parents in good faith, believing it will receive a helpful answer. A rebellious child questions in order to challenge a parent's authority and knowledge. Both question. One is obedient and faithful while the other is rebellious and full of doubt. Mary questioned, but she never lost faith. She modeled faith for us and showed us how to question without losing faith, without losing heart when the physical world seems to contradict the promises given by the Spirit.
FEAR GOD IN A HEALTHY WAY
There is a big difference between being afraid of God and possessing the fear of God which leads to wisdom. If we fear God in a healthy way as Mary did, we will discover his love, which casts out all fear. Sometimes we are full of doubts, yet we journey towards faith without despair.
John Michael Talbot
Photo of The Annunciation by El Greco, in the public domain
1 comments:
I have been speaking of this same subject with some friends - fear of God. If I may ask, how would you define a healthy fear of the Lord? What does that look like?
(Exodus 20:20 comes to mind when you spoke of being afraid of God vs. fear.)
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