2 Corinthians 5:11, “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.”
Paul said, “what we are is known to God . . .” Isaiah 43:1 states, “But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” God knows my name. God knows your name – think about that. God knows me, and He knows my name. El Roi means God sees me. Immanuel, means God is with me (us).That is such an assuring and comforting truth right now.
As our pastor, Todd said in his message from Crossroads Community Church, this past Sunday morning, “Fight a lesser fear, with a greater fear as it says in Matthew 10:28,“ . . . Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” The fear of the Lord is what motivated Paul in his ministry.
Our current life’s change of events with the Corona Virus is gravely affecting so many people in their employment, hoarding toilet paper of all things, and not being able to plan to go to concerts, church, trips, and various other activities. Sometimes when things change and are out of our control, we have to put aside our own agenda and ask, “OK, God, now what do you want me to do?” We are told in Acts 9:31, “The church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.”
May we all portray and have a stronger devotion to Jesus than we did the day before. We have to faithfully check our conscience before God, always seeking to have the love of Christ controlling our actions and conversations with kind words, acts of kindness, wise advice, and showing mercy and grace even when it may not be easy to do. God knows us and remember, He knows your name.
How would you rate your faith this past week? Weak and needs improvement, or equal to David’s when he killed the giant with his stone that he aimed and hit Goliath right on his forehead?
How does having the fear of the Lord replace anxieties, fears, worries, with courage?
May we be living examples of what Paul stated in 2 Cor. 5:7, “We live by faith not by sight,” as we go forth, encouraging each other in residing in the “fear of the Lord.”
Listen to the song on YouTube, Impossible Things (feat. Danny Gokey) Chris Tomlin