Daily Delight
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“…the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love” (Psalm 147:11, ESV). What does David mean when he talks about ‘fearing God’? When I was a child, my concept of fear was of fright. Fear was emotion I felt in a room without a nightlight. It was the uncomfortable feeling that would seize me if I were with people I did not know. Fear was never something I wanted to feel, let alone cultivate. However, I have discovered that God, in His word, reveals to us that ‘fear’ is the posture of heart that brings Him pleasure.
One example of this is found in Job. God says to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8 ESV) The ‘fear’ that Job had was an attitude of respect and love. R. C. Sproul compares it to a child who has ‘tremendous respect and love for her father or mother and who dearly wants to please them…because she’s afraid of displeasing the one who is, in that child’s world, the source of security and love.”
Oh how I need to lean more into that place of living my life- the place of total dependence on God, my Hope, and to remain steadfast because of His deep abiding love and grace. Job had lost everything, including close relationships with his wife and friends, yet as he struggled to stand he kept reaching out to a holy God. In the end of Job’s story, God blesses Job and blesses others (Job’s friends) through him.
Ultimately the Bible tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10, ESV). I believe that living from a place of adoration of the Lord does give us a corrected perspective on our life as we live it under the sun. Do you seek to live in ‘fear of the Lord’? If you do, be encouraged that He takes pleasure (delights) in you and will provide insight and wisdom to you as you seek to honor Him each moment of each day.
Photo: @nhinton4
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Bonnie Arends
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Bonnie is a woman who finds her identity and mission in Jesus. She is passionate that others will come to know the Living Hope that she lives in and from each day. Bonnie's life verse is, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).
Bonnie lives 'in the middle of a cornfield' with her farmer husband and son. She enjoys the space and quiet of rural living and is especially thankful for the beautiful sunsets she experiences over the farm's vast pastures.
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