Fearing God from A to Z

E is for Edify

Unlike our dogs, cats, and other house pets, God gave us the gift of speech. Along with walking, potty training, and a thousand other skills, most of us learned to speak a language. Words enable communication with the people around us and the God who made us. But too often we use this gift for the wrong purposes. 

God created speech as a tool to edify and strengthen others (Eph. 4:29). 

He wants our chosen words to build up the people in our lives, not tear them down. Studies show that women speak about 20,000 words a day, while the average man speaks closer to 7,000.( excluding my husband) That can mean one of two things: 

• Women are 3 times more likely to say the wrong thing.
• Women have 3 times more opportunities to build others up.

What fragile factors determine which one we'll fulfill with our next words? Too often we let our emotions cause us to spit out sentences better left unsaid. Some of those poorly chosen comments will outlive us in the hearts and minds of the people we love.  

King David knew the important role words play when it comes to fearing God. 

He said those who fear the Lord, don't speak evil or guile (Psalm 34:11-14). Basically he warns us not to speak destructive or deceitful words. Don't try to tear down or mislead anyone. Once again, what purpose lies behind our choice of words?

When my husband, the contractor, buys a pickup load of wood, each board has a purpose. A client may want a deck, a fence, or a new porch. He picks out the materials to build a strong, specific project. He never buys a bunch of extra wood he can't use. If only we were as careful picking our words before we say them. 

Since we know it's impossible to speak 10,000 to 20,000 edifying words every day, we can pray David's prayer for help as our own. Once again, we find our hope in the truth that with God all things are possible. 

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable 

in Your sight O, Lord, my strength and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).

Fearing God From A to Z

D is for Delight

Last week I picked up my granddaughter from kindergarten 4 days out of 5.

That's twice as much as usual. She also spent a sick day at my house. On Friday she walked out the school door expecting her mom to take her to daycare - to play with friends. She saw me waiting instead. 

     "Grandma, what are you doing here again?" her expression matched her words.  

Delighted to see me? I don't think so. 

Normally, this precious girl greets me with a smile and a hug. But after a long week, she had places to go, people to see. She couldn't spend all her free time with Grandma. I understand. Still, her lack of zeal to visit my house surprised me. Maybe because she hadn't expressed that attitude before. 

Charles Dickens wrote: "I love little children and it is no slight thing when they, who are fresh from God, love us." The joy of a child is contagious. We delight to spend time with them even more when they delight to be with us. 

God feels the same way toward His children. He delights in those who fear
Him (Psalm 147:11). We express fear of God when we trust, thank, and praise Him; when we ask His advice.That's an unexpected picture of what fear looks like but there's more than one kind of fear. 

Like my granddaughter, we all have a tendency to take everyday things for granted- no matter how spectacular. The fear of God keeps us sensitive to His Presence and blessings. We need it to stay thankful. Remember how God sent bread from heaven for the Israelites for 40 years? Manna every morning, nutritious, tasty, faithful food. How did they respond?

       "...Our soul loathes this worthless bread" (Numbers 21:5).

Everyday blessings challenge our ability to stay thankful. The fear of the Lord
challenges that weakness. We need the Lord's provision and we need His Spirit to help us see those daily gifts with grateful eyes. Shouldn't His continual goodness increase our thankfulness rather than cause it to wear thin?

This week I picked up my granddaughter from school on Friday and smiled to see her joyful face. "Hi Grandma, I've been missing you," she said. 
I was delighted to see her as well. Sometimes a little break reminds us how much we appreciate our gifts from God, especially the ones He gives us everyday.     

  

Fearing God from A to Z

C is for Communicate

Growing up, my cousin and I were the best of friends - for one or two weekends each summer. I looked forward to us visiting, laughing, and spending time together at family picnics. I considered us close friends in heart, though we lived on opposite ends of the state.

Last fall I saw her for the first time in over 25 years. We hadn't even talked or emailed. That can happen when we move away, lose touch, and pursue different dreams. After two and a half decades we didn't have much to talk about. She had recently retired, has grandchildren. I have grandchildren too. Small talk, surface talk. The camaraderie of the past was a distant memory.

Relationships, like gardens, require nurturing to flourish. The friendships we neglect tend to wither away. The same holds true in our friendship with Jesus. That's why Scripture highlights the importance of communication - keeping in touch.

Our three children are grown with homes and families of their own. Still, I like 
to hear from them. Phone calls, even short ones, come in like sunshine. My 
days go better when I hear from them once a week. (more is fine but less, not so much.)  

The fear of the Lord is strengthened by close communion. One of God's top complaints against His people,Israel, is that they "forgot Him days without number" (Jer. 2:32) Just living their lives, too busy to talk to God and read 
His Word. Too distracted to ask for God's wise counsel. What about us? Do we think we can handle life's challenges for the most part? When things get out of hand, is that when we remember to pray and memorize a few Scriptures? 

If people were made to be basically self-reliant, why does God tell us to pray nonstop? (1 Thessalonians 5:17) The Lord wants us to keep in touch all the time, not just when we have time. 

C is for communicate, one of the building blocks of fearing Him. We need His wisdom more than we realize. Talk, pray, listen, write to Him in our journal. 
Like us, He loves to hear from His children.