January 24, 2023

There is great reward in having a genuine and deep-felt fear of the LORD [Yahweh]… Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Fools despise wisdom and instruction… do you know anyone like that? It is especially important to be honest with the Almighty… consider the words of the writer of Hebrews:

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” heb 4:12-13 nkjv

There is peace, liberty, and satisfaction in understanding the fact that Yahweh knows our thoughts and the intents of our hearts, which can’t be hidden from Him… as the writer of Hebrews notes above. [Knowing this, perhaps, will keep us from doing something stupid.] The Proverbs say:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” prov 9:10 nkjv When David wrote Psalm 25 he understood these things...

“To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. 3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. 4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.” ps 25:1-7 nkjv

I think it is of utmost importance to have this “mindset” and join David in his thinking about Yahweh’s great mercies towards him (and us). Paul told the Philippians:

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” phil 3:12-16 nkjv

The day in which we live is a constant dirge of misinformation and deception… even outright lies and perversion… Our “mindset” must be guarded and directed by the wisdom of Yahweh’s Word and leading of His Holy Spirit, having a “fear of the LORD,” not the fear of man. We must be as Paul said… pressing on, to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of us… pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Shalom, John