Things Could Always Be Worse

"Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you."

 

1 Samuel 12:24

 

Your only duty on this earth is to “fear the Lord…” When you fear (honor, revere or admonish) the Lord your life is lived in total submission to Him… This means that you walk according to His will and are not focused on things of this world… This passage provides great advice for us to live by; we are called to “serve him in truth” knowing that He knows best but also bring into remembrance all the things that He has done and the paths that He has paved… We have to have an attitude that reflects on what God has done and dispel the notion of living with the mindset of “what have you done for me lately…” According to worldly standards and ways of living we must approach life seeking our own way and desires; however we are reminded today that we serve  a faithful God; one who already demonstrated His might by sending His son and one who has promised to supply all our needs… Don’t lose sight of the fact that as children of God we often want things to happen according to our desires and standards… 

When we are faced with opposition we question or blame God; however, when things are working in our favor we find a way to place confidence in ourselves or mankind… Just like the Israelites we need to be reminded to “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart…” The only thing that we should fear (revere, respect, and pay honor too) is the Lord… The Israelites (having been lead from bondage) desired a king to rule over them… Samuel reminds them today that they already had a king in the Lord and that they must Only fear him… As the story continues we see that Saul a man of physical gifts (well-built, handsome) was selected to be king and after thirty years was rejected due to disobedience… No matter who is placed in positions of authority, if they do not align themselves with the will of God they will fail… Likewise, we acknowledge the people in positions above us, but we are called to fear God and follow His will… Today let us make sure that our fear is in the Lord and not the economy… Let us make sure that we revere the Lord and are not worried about how we are going to pay this or that bill… We fear the Lord because of the things that He has done and will do, we fear the Lord because He is God and beside Him there is no other and we fear the Lord because all power resides within the palm of His hand… Samuel tells us today to “…consider how great things he hath done for you…” 

One of my close friends once told me that He didn’t like the rain, but that he appreciates the fact that he can observe it without getting wet… Today, make no mistake about it, the rain is falling all over the world, tsunamis, earthquakes and various other disasters… Wars in Gaza, the Ivory Coast and other countries; however, you are just observing them without getting wet… Psalms 91 was that a thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you if you make the Lord your dwelling place… Today fear the Lord (make Him your dwelling place)… Think about where He has already brought you from and if will give you enough energy to keep on going… Just take a moment to think about all the hardships you have faced and then think about how you have made it through… 

I am sure that there have been days when your finances didn’t add up, your money was funny and your change was strange; however, you still were able to cut that check or make that payment… God is above all and knows all… Fear Him, revere Him and stay focused on Him… The bible says in Matthew 16:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” In seeking God we fear Him and allow His will to be done! God will never fail you, He will never forsake you and He has already done marvelous things for you… “consider how great things” are in your life as well as the fact that things could always be worst. I am sure that there is someone on this earth that would love the opportunity to switch places with you and walk in your shoes… Don’t take for granted where are today, because you could be somewhere else…

 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!