FEAR AND WALK IN HIS WAYS

 FEAR AND WALK IN HIS WAYS

“Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.” Psalm 128:1. Can you imagine the scene when God gave the law to Moses on Mount Sinai? “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.” Exodus 20:18. They must have been struck with absolute awe at the majesty that God had displayed. Fearing God means that we have an awareness of reverence and respect for the absolute power that God has. Abraham exhibited a fear of God when he was asked to offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. As the angel intervened as Abraham raised the knife, “And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” Genesis 22:12. Abraham had such a profound devotion to God that he was willing to offer the son of promise. God demands that kind of respect. Look at the creation of God and stand in awe of his power. When we fear God, we are drawn to him so that we choose to walk in his ways. In his journeys, Abraham had gone to Gerar where he believed that “the fear of God is not in this place.” Genesis 20:11. Our lives can be without the fear of God, and the result is that we will walk in sin. The majesty and excellence of God draws us to him. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Hebrews 11:7. Abraham and Noah had a reverence for God that moved them to obey God and walk as he directed them. “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:7. Throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, we are urged to “fear God.” I Peter 2:17. The individual who fears God is blessed. There is a happiness and contentment of life that floods the soul because of accepting the power and authority of God. The Athenians were urged to forsake the idols of the day because God “is Lord of heaven and earth.” Acts 17:24. God is to be feared with a reverence of sincere devotion.

FEARETH THE LORD

 FEARETH THE LORD

“Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.” Psalm 128:1 and 4. The psalmist is not telling us that we will be blessed in our life because we are afraid of God. However, there is a side of God that strikes terror in our heart because of disobedience to the will of God. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” II Corinthians 5:11. The Bible speaks of God’s wrath because of sin and there are examples of God’s wrath displayed throughout the Old Testament. The flood was certainly such an occasion of God’s terror as well as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha. “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.” II Peter 2:5-6. The wrath and terror of God came upon these because of their ungodliness and sinfulness. The wrath of God is always in reserve against the ways of evil and those who choose to live such a lifestyle. Even now, there is the impending threat of God showing his anger at those who follow the way of evil and walk in the path of the devil. “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” II Peter 3:7. The world awaits the final judgment of the God who demands the surrender of the human will to his divine authority. “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds.” Romans 2:5-6. God has always showered his displeasure upon the workers of iniquity. Evil has never gone unpunished by the Creator of the whole earth. “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26-27.

DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD

 DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1:1-6. There are those who are blessed by God, and those who are cursed by God. Whether God blesses or curses depends upon the life that we have chosen to walk. The man who is blessed departs from evil, and delights himself in God’s law. God has a law for humanity, and according to that law our lives are to be lived. The law of God provides stability and prosperity to life. A life lived according to the law of God is a life that is blessed. The law of God is a perfect law that instructs us so that we might grow in God’s righteousness. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:16. They who delight in the law of God are likened unto a tree that is nourished by the rivers, and brings forth fruit. The godly are likened unto a leaf that will not wither because of God’s endless supply of grace. But, what about the ungodly? The ungodly delight in lawlessness. The ungodly walk in their own way living in sin. They seek not God nor his law. They shall perish, wither, and die. The ungodly are unprofitable to themselves and the society in which they live. They are tossed without a foundation and blown to and fro. The congregation of the righteous are a testimony against them, and they have no power to withstand the judgment. “The Lord knoweth them that are his. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” II Timothy 2:19. But, the ungodly God does not know. “I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:23.  Let us delight in the law of God, and depart from the sinful elements about us so that the goodness of God might nourish us as a tree planted alongside the rivers.

A MORE EXCELLENT NAME

 A MORE EXCELLENT NAME

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4. Jesus Christ is superior to the angels because he is the Son of God. In human form, he came to earth so that we might behold the nature of God. In human form, he died on the cross so that in that sacrifice he might purge our sins. In his resurrection and ascension to heaven, he was appointed the heir of all things as he was set on the right hand of the Father. In his prayer to the Father in the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed, “Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that the Son may also glorify thee: as thou hast given him power over all flesh; that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” John 17:1-4. In the work of human redemption, Christ glorified the Father, and thus, by inheritance obtained a name that is to be honored and cherished by the whole of mankind. God “set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” Ephesians 1:20-21. The name of Christ is more excellent in that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11. The more excellent name of Christ is seen in that he is the begotten of the Father and is the Son of the Father. The excellency of Jesus Christ is witnessed in the truth that “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” Hebrews 1:8.

BRIGHTNESS OF HIS GLORY

 THE BRIGHTNESS OF HIS GLORY

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4. God speaks through Jesus Christ in this age which is the last days. Jesus Christ has been appointed heir of all things, and now reigns at the right hand of God. Jesus Christ is the brightness of God’s glory, and the express image of his person. Christ came to earth in human form to declare unto humanity the nature of God. Jesus, who made the worlds, took the form of flesh and blood to show us God. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” John 1:18. Jesus spoke of his relationship with the Father when he was speaking to the Jews, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58. The Son speaks to his eternal nature. Jesus was not simply a man, but was even as God, “from everlasting to everlasting.” Psalm 90:2. The intent of God as Jesus was revealed to man was “to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” II Corinthians 4:6. As the world saw Christ, the world saw the love, mercy, goodness, and the immutability of God. The promise that God had made to deliver sinful man from the death of sin was fulfilled in Christ. The Son revealed to us God, the eternal being, who was the Creator and Sustainer of life, both now and in the world to come. Through Jesus Christ, we would see God who possesses all power to do all things. We would behold the God who sought healing for the world, and freedom from the power of sin. We would know God as the “Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.” II Corinthians 1:3. Jesus in human flesh loved those who loved him not because God loves those who love him not. The Son influenced us to the obedience that God desires for our salvation. Israel had seen the glory of God in the crossing of the Red Sea, and the revelation of the law at Siani. But, in Christ Jesus, all of us see “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.”

APPOINTED HEIR OF ALL THINGS

 APPOINTED HEIR OF ALL THINGS

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-3. God has spoken by the prophets to the nation of Israel, and now, God speaks through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus has been given “all power in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18. The time of the authority of Jesus Christ, as he has been appointed heir of all things, is the last days. This period of time began in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost when Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The preacher quoted the prophecy of Joel, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” Acts 2:16-18. One New Testament writer referred to the last days as the “latter time.” I Timothy 4:1. This would be the final age of the world as Christ has been appointed the heir of all things. Christ had been promised to be given the “throne of his father David whereby he would reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:32-33. In the parable of the householder, Jesus was acknowledged, “This is the heir; come let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance,” Matthew 21:38. In explanation of this parable, Jesus spoke of “The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.” Matthew 21:42. Jesus is spoken of as a “living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious.” I Peter 2:4. In the resurrection of Christ, God has given him a name “which is above every name, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:21-23. Jesus in his ascension has “gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” I Peter 3:22.

HATH IN THESE LAST DAYS

 HATH IN THESE LAST DAYS

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4. This unique passage of scripture shows us the reality of God and the authority of his word. God has spoken unto humanity in past times by the prophets, but in the last days God has spoken by his Son. The prophets spoke unto the nation of Israel after having delivered them from the bondage of Egypt, and giving them the law at Sinai. Exodus 20:1-22. The prophets looked to the coming of Christ into the world, and the new dispensation that he would bring to the world. God spoke unto various prophets in a variety of ways. “But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” Isaiah 28:13. Jesus Christ would come into the world, and bring the final will of God to the whole of humanity. “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” John 7:16-18. God would acknowledge the authority of Christ to speak in the mount of transfiguration. Christ brought Peter, James, and John into a high mountain where he “was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Matthew 17:1-5. We are to hear Christ because, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18.

SPAKE IN TIME PAST

 SPAKE IN TIME PAST

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4. We have in the Bible a divine revelation from God. God has spoken to humanity in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament was given to the people of Israel who had been delivered by the mighty power of God from the bondage of Egypt. “I am the Lord thy God, which hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” Deuteronomy 5:6. Moses had called the nation together to speak unto them “the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.” Deuteronomy 5:1. God would continue to speak unto this nation of Israel through the various prophets that he would send. “And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee: Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; and he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.” Ezekiel 2:7-10. God used the prophets as messengers to his people to reveal his will unto them. God spoke his revelation unto the people speaking unto them a reminder of God’s love for them and the blessings as well as the curses that they would bring upon themselves as they walked either in obedience or disobedience. Through the voice of the prophets, God would call them to repentance as they were reminded of the grand promises that God made unto them. The voice of the prophets would foretell the coming of the Messiah, and the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham. “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” Luke 24:44.