Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 19 Jul 2007 20:40:18 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (July 20); BP: Ps. 1; RBTTY: Acts 22; Ps. 26-28
July 20 “Holy Fear”
“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring
forever. . .”
Psalm 19:9a
Awe and reverence always accompany surrender and obedience.
How long, Pilgrim, has it been since you went outside on a moonlit
night. . .tilted your head backward. . .turned your eyes upward. . .gawked
and gasped, “Wowwww!!”?
That long, huh?
We might all better understand and appreciate today’s Manna a lot
better if we’d do that tonight. Why is that? Simply because ruts and
rituals have a way of robbing us of reverence and awe. Bright, city lights
have a way of blinding us to star-spangled night skies and the sense of
God’s creative majesty that they inspire.
Such was certainly not the case with David, for no eye-blinding
electric lights existed in that day. And, even if they had, he spent little
time in city streets and tall buildings; instead, for hours on end he sat on
hillsides, tending sheep and communing with the God of the universe.
It was during those hours that the lyrics to this part of this solemn
song of praise flowed from his heart to his pen. And, it was his adoration
over Who God is and what He has promised that led him to write “The fear
(Heb. ‘yir’ah’—‘reverence, exceeding fearfulness, etc.’) of the Lord is
clean, enduring forever. . .”
Now, that doesn’t make much sense to us at first glance—for we find
ourselves asking, “How can reverent awe be ‘clean’?” However, when we
realize the word (Heb. “tahowr”) basically means “pure, fair, unadulterated,
uncontaminated, innocent, holy, etc.,” we catch a new glimpse of David’s
meaning.
True, holy fear of the God of Abraham. . .the Great “I Am Who I Am”. .
.can only spring from a heart that is clean. This means there can be no
known and unrepented of “strongholds of sin” in our lives. Although none of
us ever reach the place of “perfect purity” in this life, we should at least
be striving for it to be a reality. That’s what the Lord looks for—i.e.,
our “intent” or desire (Heb. 4:12).
As we become more conscious of His greatness, we become more convicted
of our sinfulness (Is. 6:1-5). But, praise His Holy Name, our merciful Lord
doesn’t leave us in such a wretched condition! A thousand times no (Is.
6:6-7)!! Instead, His Holy Spirit wings His way from Heaven’s Holy of
Holies, touching us at our expressed point of need and instilling with us a
deep sense of “grace gratitude” for “His mercies by which we’re not
consumed” (Lam. 3:21-23). Hallelujah!!
We should also note that David said such “holy reverence” continues
even after we leave our sojourn here on earth—for it “endures forever.” The
main difference then will be “sight” vs. “faith”. . .for when we finally see
Him face-to-Face, we shall join the Heavenly throng, singing with unbridled
joy, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, honor and power
forevermore” (Rev. 4:11). Amen and amen.
_________________________________________________________________
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