June 30, 2023

Delight for Commands?

Delight for Commands?

Friends, how do you react to the word, "command"? Do you initially think of being told to do or not do something? When I hear "command" what comes to I think of the title Commandant, the ruler of a concentration camp where there are few, if any, freedoms. 

 
Many of us just don't want to be told to do something. Conversely, we don't want to be told we can't do something. Freedom is precious to us as is being happy. We pursue happiness. 

Pleasure. Contentment. Good Fortune. 
 
What if there was a level of happiness that transcended our understanding? What if we could attain a state of pleasure, contentment, AND good fortune? Interested? 
 
When we say we are blessed, when we feel blessed, we are, per Merriam-Webster, in a state of pleasure, contentment, and pleasure. This is the happiness that we strive for.
 
Consider the true dispenser of all that is good. If we are honest we know that we all entered this world with nothing and we will depart with nothing. Everything is a gift. We can ask it this way; Who is the first cause? He who bestows on us all that is good. God. He is Father and as Father we do not fear Him. 
 
This came to mind this morning when I read Psalm 112; "Blessed the man who fears the Lord." Fear of God is not of God. According to Aquinas, there is servile fear and filial fear. We are not to fear God as a servant fears their master, one who tortures at will and limits all freedoms. The filial fear we are to have of God is fear of offending the One Who provides everything for us and Who is all love. This filial fear is actually the love of God and trust that His commands are best for us. They are not limiting but liberating.
 
We have nothing to fear. We pray to know God more and through that knowledge, we work to follow His good commands and come to understand (wisdom) that all of His commands are good for us. We thank Him for his commands. We delight in His commands.
 
HERE is the link for the song, Nothing to Fear from the album by The Porter's Gate and sung by Audrey Assad. 
 

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And the depths of the river shall not overwhelm

When you walk through the fire you will not be burned

I am the Lord, I am the Lord

And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear

There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear (from Nothing to Fear)

Parlay Your Prayers

Friends, I am no gambler, thank God. One reason is that I am one of the worst prognosticators. However, I was intrigued when recently reading Revelation 4:9-11. More on that in a minute.   The more I contemplate and even pray about prayer, th…

Know What "It" Is.

Friends, there are times when reading the Gospel that you need something like a magnifying glass or microscope. Not for all, of course, for there are times when the Lord makes things abundantly clear, such as "Woe, to you." We best pay close attenti…