Fourth Thursday in Advent

The Right Kind of Fear

On a typical school day, my siblings and I remained under the sheets as long as possible. On Christmas morning, however, we bolted out of bed like racehorses at the Kentucky Derby. Our hushed chatter during those early hours involved debates about whether to wake Mom and Dad. After what felt like hours, our parents finally peeled themselves from their warm refuge, and the Christmas festivities commenced. Yet before we opened one present or played with one toy, Dad gathered the family to pray and read the Christmas story found in the book of Luke.

Our Dad knew the importance of showing reverence to God for his precious gift to the world, and Dad desired to instill that same reverence in his children. As we considered the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, our worship flowed. Our priority shifted from opening presents to singing praises to our God.

In the Book of Malachi, God promised hope to those who feared him. The Lord encouraged the Israelites with these words: “But for you who fear my name, the sun of vindication will rise with healing wings…” (Mal. 4:2). Despite living in a difficult situation, a remnant of the Israelites waited eagerly for the coming Messiah. God the Father spoke of the coming one as the sun who would “rise with healing in his wings.” That hope encouraged these Israelites, so they feared the Lord. God had proved his faithfulness in the past, and they trusted him with their future.

Centuries later, God used Mary to bring forth the great gift of hope to the world. Just like the faithful Israelites, Mary feared the Lord. As a willing vessel, she served Yahweh without reservation. After receiving the announcement of Jesus’s birth from the angel Gabriel, Mary praised God by saying, “My soul exalts the Lord . . . from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him” (Luke 1:46, 50). God lifts those who fear him. Whatever the current situation, our praises show our reverence for him. While gift-giving brings joy and Christmas carols bring laughter, authentic hope comes only when we make the triune God our priority.

Think about your passions today. Name your number-one priority. How can you make God your first priority every day? What steps can you take today to practice fearing the Lord? —Jana Thompson

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for being first in my life. Please forgive me for times when I have failed to properly worship you. Please grant me the grace to make you a priority at all times. I desire to adore you, regardless of my circumstances. I want to lift you above every concern, every triumph, and every situation I face. I give my all to you. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead

And his kingdom will have no end.

Photo credit: Jeff Griffith for Unsplash