FEAR THE LORD

Proverbs 3:7-8

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

So many times we all take ourselves too seriously. So many times we all take life too seriously. But when we trust in the Lord – not leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) – we can go through life fulfilling our responsibilities but we can also be relaxed as we do that. When we lean on our own understanding, when we think we know best, when we think “we’re all that,” when we are wise in our own eyes, we are setting ourselves up for a major fall – a spiritual fall, an emotional fall and even a physical fall.

But when we fear the Lord – that is, when we stand in awe of him, when we respect the Lord, when we place him first in our lives – our priorities will be in line. When we fear the Lord our lives won’t be full of stress and worry. When we fear the Lord our desire will be to serve him and to keep his commands. When we fear the Lord we will shun evil.

Taking care of our bodies and avoiding sinful activities will have a healthy effect on our bodies. Keeping stress and anxiety under control will have a healthy effect on our bodies. That’s only natural. That only makes sense. But it’s also a promised blessing of God.

PRAYER: Lord, give me faith to put my trust in you. May all I do bring glory to you. Enable me to approach life confidently. Enable me to enjoy the blessings of life that you have given me. Amen.