FEARING GOD WE FEAR NOTHING ELSE
There are many types of assemblies. Men gather for government and for business. They meet for weddings and funerals. Families gather for birthdays and holidays. Yet the assembly of the saints is unique. For they gather in the name of the Lord. Certainly there is formality and respect on display in other human gatherings, but the assembly of the saints is like no other. For God is the One who has called them together. And the saints greatly fear the Lord and revere Him higher than all others.
Yet in these days of the pandemic, assemblies and gatherings have been banned. There is a temporary hold on such meetings for fear of spreading the Coronavirus. Our love of neighbor supports a temporary pause for such gatherings. For none of us want to spread a killing disease.
However, we cannot forsake the assembling of ourselves together for very long, especially as the Day of Christ’s return approaches (cf. Heb. 10:25). For the assembly of the saints is the Church, the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. Fearing God, we fear nothing else. For it is our Lord who tells us not to be afraid of the invisible pestilence, for He is our refuge and our salvation (cf. Psa. 91). As the Proverb says, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov. 29:25).
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for not trusting You in all things. We often struggle with the fear of man or other fears. But we know that Your perfect love drives out such fear. We ask You to heal our nation of false fear and to bring us to a place where we fear You alone. Not being afraid of You, but holding You in such high reverence and awe that we fear Your displeasure. For always want to please You, which is only possible by faith in Your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.