Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
Introductory Thoughts
The connection of fear and service cannot be missed. Worldly fear brings bondage and hinders Christian service; yet godly fear encourages the believer to serve the Lord in righteousness. In our passage, fear is yoked together with truthful and sincere service. Three different verses in 1 Samuel chapter 12 make the same connection (1 Samuel 12:14, 20, 24). In Psalm 2:11, we are admonished to “serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” According to Hebrews 12:28, we should “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” The fear of the Lord points forward to a time of judgment and reward. A man who refuses to fear God will never serve God with a sincere heart and pure motives.
Devotional thoughts
- (For children):Even though Noah had never seen rain, he feared the judgment of God that was coming upon a wicked world through a great flood. He obeyed God and built an ark to save himself and his family (Hebrews 11:7).
- (For everyone):Why would someone who does not fear the Lord be hindered in his service to the Lord? How is fear a good motivator in our service for God?
- Do you serve the Lord out of a pure and sincere heart? If not, could it be because you do not fear the Lord as you ought to fear Him?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to remind you of the judgment to come.
- Ask God to help you to serve Him with fear.
SONG: TBD
Quotes from the next volume
(VOLUME 3, WEEK 13)
Subject: Envy
If a man spends his time envying the wicked, he will eventually travel the direction that he once envied.
Long before an individual outwardly turns from righteousness to worldliness, he does so in his mind without restraint.
Those who refuse to repent of envy will ultimately lead themselves into a spiritual death.