Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “STRANGERS in the World”
Week 4 of 7: “Use the Right Currency!”
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A restaurant feels it when the health inspector comes by. A child feels it when mom comes to inspect the room they were asked to clean. A new recruit feels it when their commanding officer is inspecting their uniform. A defendant feels it when he sits before the judge.
Reverent fear.
This bit of nervousness comes when I know that someone has a higher ranking than I do and has the authority to affirm or dismiss me or my work. A health inspector can shut a restaurant down. A mom can take away a privilege. A commanding officer can order more calisthenics. A judge can issue a sentence of punishment
The relief comes when the one of a higher status affirms that things are OK. Your restaurant is clean. Your room is perfect. Your uniform properly worn. Your charge is dismissed.
No matter what our status or ranking in life, we all live under the ranking of our holy, heavenly Father. He is the one that sets the standard of holiness for all people. He alone has the power to “destroy body and soul in hell” (Matthew 10:28). When we grasp this relationship, you can understand why Peter encourages, “live your life in reverent fear.”
We are not terrified of God or afraid of him, yet hold a healthy respect for him.
Recognize our status before God. He outranks us in every way!
Yet he chooses to use his status as a holy, righteous, Father to also show love and forgiveness. He has every right to condemn each of us to an eternity in hell. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) Yet, he chose to send his Son to receive the punishment our sins deserve. “The Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
Consider these two things for your day:
- Live your days in reverent fear AND in humble gratitude!
- Remember that whatever status or position you have, you live under the ranking of God. So use the status and position you are in to “judge impartially” (1 Peter 1:17) as you are called to do and also “love lavishly” (1 John 3:1) as God has done for you!
Prayer: Father, help us to always remember that you outrank us and live each day in reverent fear, yet also in humble gratitude that you while you could use your rank to punish, you instead chose to give us your love and grace. Lead us to do the same in whatever position you place us today. AMEN.