There is no fear of God before their eyes.

  - Romans 3.18

What daring of man can, now or in the future, be more foul than to deny fear to God, charity to good fellow-countrymen, honour to those placed in higher authority (for that is their due, granted, of course, that there is no harm to the faith): to break faith with man and God: to cast away fear of heaven and earth, and to be ruled each man by his own contrivances and lusts?

 - Gildas, The Ruin of Britain, British, 6th century

I’m sure you’ve seen one of those “No Fear” window stickers on cars and trucks? And their colloquial equivalent, “Ain’t Skeerd”?

What a laugh.

Not afraid? Of anything? Really? How about death (Heb. 2.15)?

I’m pretty sure I could find a few things those guys might be afraid of – and at least one they should. People may not fear God now, but the day is coming when they will plead with the mountains to hide them from the wrath of His Son.

What about Christians? What excuse do we have for downplaying the fear of God?

Paul explains that the worst of sinners don’t fear God. He commands us to pursue holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7.1). Jesus said it was in our best interest to fear God (Matt. 10.28). What does God require of us but, first of all, to fear Him (Deut. 10.12)?

But fearing God is not something the average believer spends much time nurturing or experiencing. Indeed, most of us have no sense at all of what it means to fear Him, nor of the benefits such fear of God can bring.

We’re all about God as our loving Father and Friend Who sticks closer than a brother. We consider fearing Him to be unbecoming of the followers of Jesus Christ.

But He is God Almighty, the Ultimate Ruiner, Who can bring our lives to wrack and trouble without lifting a finger. That He doesn’t – even though we surely deserve it – is simply a measure of His unfathomable love and boundless mercy.

But let’s not take advantage of these. We love God and enjoy feeling completely secure in His presence; however, we are commanded to fear Him, to maintain a healthy respect for what this God can and rightly should do to wretched sinners like you and me.

We should fear the discipline God can bring on us when we stray from His path (Heb. 12.3-11). We must fear Him with gratitude and praise. Fear Him in the peace of His love. Fear to venture into His holy presence with the kind of worship we typically bring.

Fear God, and you will love Him more, and love your neighbors more as well.

Refuse to fear Him, and you will end up like the worst of sinners.

Ain't skeerd of God?

Get skeerd.

Psalm 2.11, 12 (Agincourt: “O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High”)
Rejoice with fear in Jesus’ grace, and worship before His exalted face.
Beware His anger and judgment grim: How blessed are all who rest in Him!

I do love You, Lord, and I know I should fear You. Show Yourself to me with power and grace, and help me love to fear You!

Many thanks
I want to thank those of you who support this ministry with your prayers and gifts. Our aim is to do whatever we can in the way of ministry to help you realize more of the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God. If you find our work helpful, then we hope you’ll share with us and help us meet our financial needs (Gal. 6.6). We don’t have a big staff or a large budget, but we do have regular needs. So we’re grateful to those of you who contribute to our ministry, which you can do by using the donate button here or at the website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Pray for our Board of Overseers, which meets June 16 to approve our ministry plan and budget for 2015/16.

Psalms to Pray for Today and Thursday
Today
Morning: Psalm 119.19-176; Psalm 52
Evening: Psalm 128

Thursday
Morning: Psalm 119.1-8; Psalm 53
Evening: Psalm 129

T. M. Moore, Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.