Whom Shall You Fear?

Daily Bible Reading: Day 261

Along a stream-Deb Davis 2014

Psalms and Wisdom
Psalm 47

Pentateuch and History
2 Samuel 7

Chronicles and Prophets
Ezekiel 7

Gospels and Epistles
Luke 11:37-12:12

Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,
a great king over all the earth. -Psalm 47:1-2 (ESV)

I used to sing this chorus a lot in my youth:  Clap your hands all you people; shout unto God with a voice of triumph!  Clap your hands all you people; shout unto God with a voice of praise! Hosanna!  Hosanna!  Shout unto God with a voice of triumph!  Praise Him! Praise Him!  Shout unto God with a voice of praise!  It came immediately to mind when I read Psalm 47 this morning. This tune was written by Jimmy Owens in 1972 and is based on Psalm 47:1.  I wonder if it would have made its way into several hymnals if it had contained Psalm 47:2?  I cannot think of a hymn off the top of my head that praises God because He is to be feared.  I hope you will share with me if you know of one, not something obscure, but one that is readily sung in our congregations.  


Praise God because He is to be feared.  How many times I have been involved in discussions that try to sweep this idea under the rug.  I have written about it before in Give Me LIfe.  I don't think it means what we think it means, to quote from one of my favorite movies.  



I love how my various readings for the day often fit together.  As if in answer to the question raised by the Psalm, "Why should I fear God?" we read these words of Jesus in Luke.  



"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!  Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.  Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."  -Luke 12:4-7 (ESV)



Clearly there is more here than a respect for God and His power.  And yet, as fearful as it is to fall into God's hands, Jesus gives us such sweet comfort.  For those who are saved by grace there is no fear of being cast into hell.  (Another subject that we are loath to talk about today.)


Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
Debra