Saturday after Judica (Passion Sunday)
Posted on March 27, 2021 by under
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-15 (NKJV)
5:11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Devotion
Paul certainly feared the Lord. After being knocked off the back of a horse and blinded by words coming from the mouth of God (Jesus), Paul certainly feared God. And even though we know about some of the things that Paul endured from evil and unbelieving men, we know that Paul feared God more than men.
Do you fear God more than you fear men? How many times have you cringed when the subject of God or religion came up at the table during holiday gatherings? Do you fear peer pressure that may come from attending Divine Service rather than school events? Are there times when you fear man more than God? How many times have you kept silent when you should have been standing up for Jesus? Are there times when you fear that God will not provide for you and your family unless you have that certain job with great benefits? Does not everything belong to God? Will He not provide for your needs?
Yes, God knows us and knows our needs. If we fear God, our actions in giving Him first priority in our lives will be known by others—often in a persuasive way—to lead them to Christ. God knows when we fear, love, and trust in Him because He is the one who gives us that faith to do and confess His will before men.
Prayer: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people, that by Thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
