Psalm_76
Scripture
Psalm 76:4-10 NIV
“You are radiant with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game. The valiant lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep; not one of the warriors can lift his hands. At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both horse and chariot lie still. It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet— when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.”
Observation-What does it say?
If I was to title this psalm, I would title it the greatness of our God. The Psalmist describes the Lord as radiant, majestic, the only One to be feared.
Understanding-What does it mean?
The greatness of our God is what makes Him worthy of our fear (aka respect).
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”`
Matthew 10:28 NIV
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 NIV
The definition of fear from the Oxford dictionary is: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
When used as a verb, the definition is: be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening.
When we hear the word fear, it emotes feelings of anxiety, being scared of something/someone, being manipulated to do something we don’t want to do, etc. However, God doesn’t want us to fear him in the sense of being afraid of Him.
God’s character is nothing like the traits of the type of people or things to be afraid of. His character is always motivated by love and as Scripture says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:18-19 NIV
Because we are in awe of Who He is and His character, and because He first loved us, we choose to respect (fear) Him.
Life Application
Don’t be a slave to the fear of this world. Fear the Lord because we are His child. Just like the song goes, “I’m no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God.”
Fear of the Lord can be likened to honor and respect towards someone we trust. Also, honor and respect is not just believable through words, but actual works. If my kids don’t honor or respect me, there will be consequences. If I don’t love my kids, take advantage of my authority over them and promote them to anger all the time, there will be consequences in the sense that they won’t trust me. Also, that type of parenting is more of a dictatorship and is discouraged-(see Ephesians 6:4.)
If I don’t honor and respect my husband, there are consequences, and vice versa if I don't feel loved by my husband. If I don’t honor or respect by boss, there are consequences and vice versa if I feel mistreated as an employee. I'm sure you get the picture.
The God of this universe is not only amazing because He’s Creator and the Great I Am. He’s amazing because He loved us first and did all the work on the front end of our relationship in order to make it easier to fear/respect and trust Him. Let’s give Him all the fear, honor, glory, worship and obedience that He’s due! Let’s surrender our whole lives to Him and His Spirit’s work in us everyday!
Song: Great I Am by Phillips, Craig and Dean https://youtu.be/y_VR-zwp2KA
-Michelle Gaddi
Fear of the Lord can be likened to honor and respect towards someone we trust. Also, honor and respect is not just believable through words, but actual works. If my kids don’t honor or respect me, there will be consequences. If I don’t love my kids, take advantage of my authority over them and promote them to anger all the time, there will be consequences in the sense that they won’t trust me. Also, that type of parenting is more of a dictatorship and is discouraged-(see Ephesians 6:4.)
If I don’t honor and respect my husband, there are consequences, and vice versa if I don't feel loved by my husband. If I don’t honor or respect by boss, there are consequences and vice versa if I feel mistreated as an employee. I'm sure you get the picture.
The God of this universe is not only amazing because He’s Creator and the Great I Am. He’s amazing because He loved us first and did all the work on the front end of our relationship in order to make it easier to fear/respect and trust Him. Let’s give Him all the fear, honor, glory, worship and obedience that He’s due! Let’s surrender our whole lives to Him and His Spirit’s work in us everyday!
Song: Great I Am by Phillips, Craig and Dean https://youtu.be/y_VR-zwp2KA
-Michelle Gaddi