Devotional: Fear the Lord Deuteronomy 6

“You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name” (Deut. 6:13, NASB).

When I think about church in my childhood days, and I compare them to church today, I remember one significant difference. In my childhood there were a lot of “Hell, Fire, and Brimstone” sermons preached in the church. These sermons have as its purpose to instill discipline and godly living. Those who live ungodly lives will die, go to hell, and suffer from a fire of brimstone. On the other hand the sermons that are preached today emphasize the blessing of God in our lives today. What can cause the difference?

When I was a child, we live in a segregated society in which the Negro is severely limited in achieving success in the secular world. The black man lives in constant danger of being imprisoned and lynched if they do not fear the white man and do what he is told to do. The church offers a hope for the future. If a person lives a godly life they die and go to heaven where they receive a starry crown, a long white robe, and golden slippers to walk on the streets paved with gold. Today, we live in a diverse integrated society in which there is a possibility to enjoy heaven on earth now. Thus, we hear sermons, and we attend conferences and workshops that inform us how to live in a way that will cause the Lord to bless us. The message of Moses to the Israelites emphasizes both views.

The book of Deuteronomy is an account of the final instructions that Moses gives to Israel before they cross the Jordan River into the land that the Lord is giving to them. The Lord makes a covenant with the Israelites. The Lord has brought them to this place with a mighty hand. The people are never to forget how the Lord destroyed their enemies the Egyptians and those that they had encountered on their journey to this place. If the people keep the covenant, they will be blessed to take possession of the land that the Lord is giving to them. On the other hand, if they break the covenant and worship other gods the Lord will quickly destroy them. They are to fear the Lord because the Lord is able to bless them and destroy them.

I can live my life in fear of what man can do to me, or I can live my life in fear of the Lord. I choose to fear the Lord instead of man. Jesus said: “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” (Matt. 10:28, NASB).

Prayer: God, we are thankful that You are the omnipotent God with awesome power. With Your power You are able to bless us and curse us. Amen.