I am concerned that many of us who claim to follow Jesus are mistaken, having watered down the truth of the gospel to fit personal desires.  In our desperate search for love and meaning, have we forgotten truth?  Has the tyranny of legalism caused us to swing so far that we have forgotten that surrender and obedience are part of God's equation?

I know this seems abrupt, but as I sat reading the Psalms this morning my spirit was stirred.  I appeal to you to search the word of God.  He does give us guidelines to follow, not because He is a dictator or control freak, but because He knows how we operate best.  God's laws come out of His unfailing love.  They are liberty for each of us.  In them, we find who He is.  In them, we find blessing.  Freedom is not the absence of rules; it is the release to actually follow them with great joy and satisfaction.  When I am free in Christ, I no longer want what I had. 

Psalm 119:45
I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah"
Mark 8:29 (NLT)

I had just listened to a challenging sermon on the fear of God.  If I am to fear God rightly - out of respect, honour and love - then I need to know Him.  Hearsay is not enough.  Something inside of me must engage with who He truly is.

So, I got to thinking ... I've respected & honoured others before; my husband, my granny, Billy Graham, the Queen.  Now, I haven't (obviously) had relationship with all of these, but I have held them all in high regard.  But maybe this is about more, more about living and dieing.  Who would I live for?  Who would I die for?  Or even, who would I allow to live with me and give me life?  Who would I allow to give me advice and guidance, so much so, that if they said so, I would do so.  Hmm, this hits a much deeper chord, doesn't it?

We are now in the territory of the "me" - the territory of rights.  This is where fear dwells, both the healthy and scary kind.  If I do not know who God is (who He says He is and has proven Himself to be) I will never fear Him rightly.  I may panic (wrong fear) when He tries to enter "my spot" or just be indifferent - not being aware of His presence and understanding His intentions.

I must get to know Him and the only sure way is through scripture.  I can look to my past, but I cannot lean on it for there is so much there that I don't understand or, I forget!  I can look inside myself, but I don't trust my emotions.  I can look at others, but so many claim to know the truth that it gets confusing.  I must, with the Holy Spirit, read and study what God has said (Joshua 1:8).  Why not go to the source?  We have it in abundance!

Here's what I have found:  the more I get to know Christ, the greater my pursuit of Him.  He is beyond my figuring out and yet I can know Him intimately ... mind boggling!  Who is God that He should be mindful of me?  Who am I that I should know Him?  (Psalm 8:3-5)

And I bowed down my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, Who had led me in the right way...  Genesis 24:48

I've just finished reading the story of Abraham's servant going to find a wife for Isaac (I'm glad times have changed!), and was so impressed by this man's reliance on God.  He asked God for direction, was thoughtful in discerning it, and gave immediate credit and worship to Him when the answer came.  No wonder Abraham could trust his servant with this huge task!

It's caused me to reflect on my own life and recall the several times that God has obviously directed me and our family over the years.  A lot of these instances resulted in significant course changes for us.  I remember the moment that Bruce & I knew we were meant for each other, the time when we knew we were to go to Israel, the way He led us to one of our homes, the purchase of a property for our church, etc., etc.  I can also remember some instances that surprised us, but God has shown that He was closing a door (I think it was right on our foot!) only to open another one.

Do you remember such times?  Why not take some time to write them down and worship God for His intervention in your life.  Encourage someone else by posting a brief comment here to give testimony of God's faithfulness in your life. 

Train me, God, to walk straight;
then I'll follow your true path.
Put me together, one heart and mind;
then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear.
From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord;
I've never kept secret what you're up to.
You've always been great toward me—what love! 
You snatched me from the brink of disaster!
   God, these bullies have reared their heads!  A gang of thugs is after me—
      and they don't care a thing about you.  But you, O God, are both tender and kind,
      not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit.
   So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on,
      save your dear, dear child!  Make a show of how much you love me
      so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed,
   As you, God, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet.
Psalm 86:11-17 MSG