Happy Hallelujah-Ween!
Halloween is drawing near. Soon our streets will be filled with costumed ghosts, goblins, and mini monsters. Our malls and stores will play host to superheroes and villains, angels and devils. It will be quite the movie night with tales of horror, heroes of good triumphing over masterminds of evil. It will be a night where fear will dwell in the atmosphere. While the world celebrates the dark, I would like to take a moment to celebrate the Light and Jesus’ take on fear.
Jesus Defines Fear
In the Matthew 4, Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. During their exchange, Satan shows Jesus the nations of the world and all of its glory. He tells Jesus that he would give it all to Him if He would bow down and worship him. Pay attention to what Jesus says:
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him.
“For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God; serve only him.’”
Throughout their entire exchange Jesus responded to the Devil with scriptures, the scripture He quoted above was Deuteronomy 6:13 which reads, “You must fear the LORD your God and serve him.”
Jesus replaced the word fear with worship. While studying the Hebrew and Greek interpretations of the words “fear and worship” , another link between the two words was revealed to me. The Hebrew meaning of the word, Fear: Is to stand in awe. To reverence. In the Greek, Worship: means a feeling of awe; to reverence.
There’s a great note about worship in the Vines Hebrew/Greek dictionary that says, “the translations of the word Worship shows that it is not confined to praise; broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgment of God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deed done in such acknowledgement.”
Remember Jesus defined the believer’s fear of the LORD as worship with that in mind I’d like to share this scripture with you.
“Happy are those who fear the LORD.
Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what He commands.”
“They do not fear bad news, they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
They give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will never be forgotten.
They will have influence and honor.”
The psalm goes on to speak about a people who are successful, blessed, generous and compassionate. A people who are confident in the Lord and in life. This is a picture of a person who fears the Lord and to me it sounds like a person who’s life is a celebration of Him.
Those who have embraced the Grace and Truth of God do not cower in fear of God they are amazed by God. His nature, attributes and claims toward them. Claims like, “I will never leave you or forsake.” “You are a child of God” “I will do abundantly above all you ask and think.” “You are saved, forgiven, the righteousness of God in Christ.” “You are loved. God so loved you, He gave His Beloved Son so that you may have eternal life with Him.”
Celebrate Your Fear
While you are lighting your jack o lanterns take a moment to celebrate the true light of the world. Celebrate being a son and daughter of the Most High. Celebrate that God calls you His friend. Celebrate your fear, your worship and joy in the Lord. Happy Hallelujah-ween!
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