The message: The statement « Fear God » is both a message and a command from the Lord to let us know the manner and attitude we should have in our relationship with Him. For « the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom » Pr 9:10a. This means acknowledging and honoring Him as Lord, and obeying His Word above all things. Truly, He is Lord of the universe and Lord of life, and it is out of His holiness that He says: « A son honors his father, and servants their master. If then I am a father, where is the honor due me? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? says the Lord of hosts » Mal 1:6. It is a rampart of protection in this our day, which is a day of trouble, a day of backsliding, a day of lawlessness and indulgence (2 Tim 3:1), as God is constantly observing the action of all humans (Job 34:21), in order to repay them according to their works (Jer 17:10). It was out of fear of God that Noah consented to build the ark that God had commanded him to build for his salvation, and that he persevered in that endeavor for a hundred and twenty years, despite the ridicule and scorn of those who were contemporaneous with him. That attitude led to the extermination of these people along with all living things on earth when the flood occured (Gen 6:7/8:2). Jesus foretold that His coming would be as sudden as the flood, when He said: « Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. […] It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed » Lk 17:26-27,30.So, the fear of God is not a loss but an advantage so that we can have God’s approval and grace. It works as a fence and protection for us not to sin because we have weaknesses; and it determines our paths to follow God’s will, so that we will not be condemned on the day of God’s judgment which must come upon the world (2 Pet 2:3). Jesus Christ is the « ark » that God built. He is the wall of salvation that He raised, « so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life » Jn 3:16b.
Monday, 04th: Fear God for He is the Lord.
« You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship » Deut 10:20a.
Reading 1: Lk 12:1-7. Reading 2: Deut 10:12-21. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Deut 10:20
Introduction: The Good News of God’s grace works for the fulfillment of the law for good. Jesus said: » I have come not to abolish but to fulfill » Mt
5:17b. The apostle Paul also wrote: « Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law » Rom 3:31.
Modern education conveys the idea consisting in being afraid of no one for the sake of « personal development ». Likewise some evangelicals, who
reject the teaching of the law and the fear of God, and do not persuade people to repent for breaking the law. Those who accept Jesus Christ rather
submit themselves to the » the law of Christ » Gal 6:2.
Tuesday, 05th: Fear God and trust in his rebuke.
« Do not love the world or the things in the world […] but those who do the will of God live forever » 1 Jn 2:15a-17b.
Reading 1: Heb 12:4-12. Reading 2: 1 Jn 2:7-17. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: 1 Jn 2:15-17.
Introduction: Ancient Israel was so confident that they were « God’s chosen nation with whom God made a covenant of blessing » that they easily
became unfaithful to Him, and turned to idolatry. Yet the First Commandment says: « You shall have no other gods before me » Ex 20:3. So, even though they had already crossed the Red Sea, unfortunately, « God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness” 1 Cor 10:5. In this regard, the Apostle Paul admonishes us: « Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did » 1 Cor 10:6. Fear God and forsake « idolatry which is most abominable » 1 Pet 4:3.
Wednesday 06th: Fear God and shun the love of riches.
« How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! » Mk 10:23.
Reading 1: Acts 5:1-11. Reading 2: Mk 10:17-27. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mk 10:21-23.
Introduction: Some people do not fear God; put their trust in their wealth and serve greed, but they end up in perdition. Such is Jesus’ parable of the rich man who did not show mercy to Lazarus, a poor and crippled man; but when Abraham took the latter into his bosom in heaven, the rich
man wailed and shouted for help from the burning fire (Lk 16:19-31). Jesus concluded this way: “For what will it profit them to gain the whole
world and forfeit their life?” Mk 8:36. Fear God, and seek Jesus, the true eternal treasure.
Thursday 06th: God is in common cause with those who fear him.
« The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him; and he makes his covenant known to them » Ps 25:14.
Reading 1: Jn 15:9-16. Reading 2: Ps 25:12-15. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Ps 25:14.
Introduction: The « fear of God » is not a fear that pushes us to flee or alienates us from Him. It is rather a great and supreme reverence and
obedience to His word and will. With those who do so, God makes a covenant, saying: « I will be their God, and they shall be my people » Jer
31:33b. And He gives them the Holy Spirit who teaches them all things (Jn 14:26), yes, « even the depths of God » 1 Cor 2:10.
Friday, 08th: God blesses those who fear Him.
« The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them » Ps 34:7.
Reading 1: 1 Cor 15:1-10. Reading 2: Ps 34:1-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Ps 34:7.
Introduction: Blessed are those who fear God above all things, and trust in Him. He never ceases to care for and watch over them as the apple of His
eye (Deut 32:10/Zech 2:12). According to the words He entrusted to the prophet Isaiah, He likens His people Israel to a vineyard after which He
looks day and night: « I, the Lord, am its keeper; every moment I water it. I guard it night and day so that no one can harm it » Isa 27:3. In fact, they
receive from the Lord a great, unshakable assurance, when He says: « Peace be with you » Jn 20:19.
Saturday 09th: God repays people according to their faith.
« The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned » Mk 16:16.
Reading 1: Heb 10:26-31. Reading 2: Mk 16:9-16. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mk 16:16.
Introduction: Because of their lack of knowledge of the Scriptures, some people think that the necessity to fear God runs contrary to God’s nature
as Love. But it is exactly because He is Love that He does not want anyone to be lost (Ezek 33:11); that is the reason why He gave His Only
Begotten Son to accomplish the redemption of sinners on the cross (Jn 3:16). But He is also most holy, and has the power to save or to destroy (Jas
4:12). Therefore, what He requires for the salvation He offers is that one accepts the holy baptism and believes in His Son, Jesus. Jesus said: “For
many are called, but few are chosen” Mt 22:14, namely the ones who accept, and therefore, are “given the power to become children of God” Jn.
1:12, These are the heirs of His kingdom (Rom.8:16-17).
This pericope is available in Malagasy, French, English and German, and can be viewed at www.hifi-madanet.org and Facebook “Songs and Gospel”. Listen to hifiradio.org 24/7: lessons, songs… © Madanet