FOR I FEAR GOD.

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MARCH 30

 

Genesis 42:18

And Joseph said unto them the third day,

This do, and live; for I fear God: 

 
So said Joseph to his brethren, when he sent them home with provisions to their needy father.
 
So may we say whenever tempted to act becoming our Christian character.
 
The true fear of God springs from love, and is deepened and strengthened by filial fellowship with God.
 
It is not a dread of his majesty, but a fear to offend or grieve his heart.
 
It is produced by the Holy Spirit, and is a great preventive to sin.
 
If I fear to offend God, I shall certainly strive to please him. If I love him, I shall fear to offend him. This fear makes us cautious, careful, and watchful. It will often lead us to prayer. It will prompt us to self-examination. It will lead us to compare our conduct with God’s word.
 
It will preserve us from presumption, levity, and dishonesty.
 
He that fears God will not go in the way of sinners, stand in the counsel of the ungodly, or sit in the seat of the scornful; but his delight will be in the word of God, and in his book will he meditate day and night.
 
Has the fear of God influenced us this day?
 
Have we said by our conduct, in our dealings with our fellow men,
 
“I fear God.”
 

It gives religion life,

To warm as well as light;

Makes mercy sweet, salvation great,

And all God’s judgments right.

 
James Smith