Today’s devotion covers Luke 7:11-17 which covers Jesus raising the dead man, the only son of his mother. We will focus on verse 16.
“Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people!” Luke 7:16. (Emphasis added.)
It seems peculiar that fear would be the emotion that gripped them all. We may more readily understand an emotion of joy or an emotion of amazement which emotions probably followed the emotion of fear. But, we read and know that “Fear gripped them all“.
It may also seem peculiar that fear came to all those living around them who heard about the restoration of speech in Zacharias after he named his newly born son John. “And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.” Luke 1:64-66.
It may also seem peculiar that shepherds experienced such fear. “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11.
It may also seem peculiar that those who witnessed the healing of the paralytic man were filled with fear. “Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Luke 5:25-26.
But, we remember and notice at least two things.
First, we remember that fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 15:33
“The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.”
“The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.”
Isaiah 11:2
“The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.”
“The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.”
Isaiah 33:6
And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is his treasure.”
And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is his treasure.”
Micah 6:9
“The voice of the LORD will call to the city–And it is sound wisdom to fear Your name: “Hear, O tribe. Who has appointed its time?”
“The voice of the LORD will call to the city–And it is sound wisdom to fear Your name: “Hear, O tribe. Who has appointed its time?”
Second, we read in our Scripture for today (and also other Scriptures) about another consequence of such fear: “and they began glorifying God”.
So, what else do we read about the fear of the LORD?
Matthew 10:28
“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Luke 1:50
“AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.”
“AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.”
Philippians 2:12-13
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
1 Peter 1:17
“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;”
“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;”
Revelation 14:7
“and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”
“and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”
Revelation 15:4
“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.”
“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.”
In conclusion, God certainly is the Only One who is truly awesome in His holiness and in His other attributes. God is certainly the Only One who is truly awesome in His work whether He be raising the paralytic, raising the dead, or raising us to new life in Christ. Let us fear God. Let us glorify God.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 