Our Best Fear (2)
“To meditate is to read a text and to learn it ‘by heart’ in the fullest sense of this expression, that is with one’s whole being: with the body since the mouth pronounced it; with the memory which fixes it; with the intelligence which understands its meaning; and with the will which desires to put it into practice.” (Jean Leclerq)
Ten Scripture Meditations on Our Best Fear:
1. “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded and it stood firm.” (Ps. 33:8-9)
2. “I know that whatever God does lasts forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing can be taken away from it. God does all that he does, moreover, so that people might fear him.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14)
3. “Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.” (Ps. 34:8-9)
4. “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord – and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:1-3)
5. The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death, and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord, he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.” (Psalm 33:18-20)
6. “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” (Ps. 145:18-19)
7. “Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all my sins, and heals all my diseases; he redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion… For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.” (Ps. 103:1-4, 11)
8. “And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deut. 10:12)
9. “The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” (Isaiah 33:5-6)
10. “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace, and it was strengthened. Encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” (Acts 9:31)
“It is by hearing, reading and particularly meditating upon the Word of God that the Spirit becomes active in the renewing of the mind and heart.” (Peter Toon)