Fearing God from A to Z

Using the alphabet, let's take a closer look at what it means to Fear the Lord.      

A stands for ACTION. 

We pray for God's guidance, provision, and healing. As believers we know His input is imperative to our survival. When you live on earth, it's a good idea to keep in touch with heaven. Also we feel more spiritual when we ask God in 
faith to intervene in our impossible circumstances. But Scripture reveals a component we often overlook. 

The Lord wants our faith to be seen as well as heard. James calls us to show 
our faith by works, to believe Him with our hands and feet (James 2:14-20). When we read the Bible and pray, the Lord often speaks insight, understanding,
and encouragement to our spirits. He is a faithful Father, yet do we respond 
like the following example?  

The kings of Israel and Judah lead their army out to fight against Moab. But in the wilderness they faced two enemies: the uncertainty of battle and no water for them or their livestock. Needing guidance and a drink, they found Elisha the prophet and asked him what to do. He talked it over with God and gave them their spiritual orders:  

"Make this valley full of ditches" (2 Kings 3:16). 

To show their faith and fear of God, the kings and warriors were told to pull out shovels and start digging. That may not sound like a strategic war maneuver. 

It may not sound like the quickest way to quench your thirst. Still, Elisha, the prophet had a pretty good track record so they acted on his words.

That describes the fear of the Lord: To base our actions on God's Word. To fear Him includes doing what He tells us, to pick up our shovels and start digging.

The other day we brought home 10 little trees to plant. For the next hour, Ray and I were digging holes. Now I can look out my kitchen window and see five foot cedar trees growing along our property line. The blessings we pray for, like trees in our yards, often require some assembly. Our interactive action proves we believe in God's answer to our prayers. 

Early the next morning, God supernaturally filled all those ditches with water. Israel's army and livestock had plenty to drink. When the Moabites looked down on the valley, the Lord caused the sunshine reflecting on the water to look like blood. They thought Israel's army had self-destructed and swooped in to scavenge any thing of value. Surprise! Israel won the victory that day. 

God delights in sending us layers of miracles. So when He tells us something to do, I pray we can be quick to act on His Word. Who knows how many blessings will grow from it.