Sarah Says…

Proverb of the Day (September 1, 2009)


“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” – Proverbs 1:7 NASB


The original Hebrew word used here for fear is “yirah”. This “fear” has the connotation of an all-encompassing reverence for God. It isn’t a terror of oppression from some despot. It isn’t fear in the sense of thinking someone is going to hurt you. But it’s a reverence for the Majesty, Magnificence, and Might of the Most High!


It’s this reverence for God that the world lacks. And I would even dare to go so far as to say that a lack of reverence for God has overtaken the church today. This lack of fear makes it easy for sin to run rampant in our lives. There’s so much focus on man and his purpose, destiny, dreams blah blah blah that we lose sight of the fact that our whole purpose for being is to glorify God. And a healthy fear of the LORD makes this clear. So that when we reverence God, how we live our lives and the details of our lives are dictated by that reverence. Because we then realize that all that we are and all that we do is wrapped up in who Jesus Christ is (as both LORD AND Savior). We all want a Savior, but too many times we don’t want a LORD to run our lives (for HIS purpose and HIS glory alone).


A proper understanding of Who Jesus Christ is (according to Scripture) and why He came, lived, died, and was raised (according to Scripture) helps us to develop the proper fear of, or reverence for the LORD. When we recognize that He isn’t returning as a sufferring servant or sacrificial Lamb, but the Conquering Lion of Judah…when we recognize the cost of His atonement for our sins, his sacrifice on our behalf at the Cross…when we recognize Jesus as LORD, we develop a healthy fear of the LORD. This understanding puts our purpose in perspective. What’s our purpose? What’s God’s will for our lives? Scripture puts it best:


“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren” – Romans 8:29


“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” – Romans 12:2


“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


A healthy fear of the LORD makes this possible. May we all have this reverence for God, by His grace, as He reveals Himself to us. And may the LORD bless and keep you, in all you do and go through.


Your Servant & Brother in Christ,


Jediael “The Preacha Poet” Johnson
Founder & Servant-Leader, Soul Speech Ministries
souljah4yeshua@yahoo.com
(213) 447-9419


“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” – Ephesians 6:19 NIV

King David, the author of so many Psalms, grew weary of his struggles. He was so tired in soul, so embattled and beset by troubles, all he wanted was to escape to a place of peace and safety: “My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me…. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest…. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest” (Psalm 55:4-8).

A lesson from nature reveals what happens when we trade the good fight for an easier way and walk away from our struggle. I recently read a biologist’s study on crabs, creatures that live in a rough, dangerous environment among jagged rocks. Crabs are dashed about daily by waves and attacked on every side by creatures from deeper waters. They battle continually to protect themselves, and over time they develop a strong shell and powerful instincts for survival.

Amazingly, some in the crab family give up the struggle for life. Searching for a safe haven, they take up residence in the cast-off shells of other ocean creature. These crabs are known as hermit crabs. Settling for safety, they retreat from the battle and escape into secondhand houses that are ready-made.

But hermit crabs’ “safe houses” prove to be costly and ruinous. Through their lack of struggle, crucial parts of their bodies deteriorate. Even their organs wither due to lack of use. Over time the hermit crab loses all power of motion, as well as vital parts needed for escape. These limbs simply fall off, leaving the crab out of danger but useless to do anything except exist.

Meanwhile, crabs that continued the struggle grow and flourish. Their five pairs of legs become meaty and strong from resisting the powerful tides. And they learn to hide from their predators by skillfully scuttling under rock formations.

This law of nature, too, illustrates the law of the Spirit. As believers, we get tossed and pounded by wave after wave of difficulties. We face vicious predators in Satan’s principalities and powers. But as we fight on, we grow stronger. And we come to recognize the devil’s wiles when he employs them against us. We discover our true refuge, the “cleft in the rock,” by trusting in Jesus. Only then are we truly safe in the midst of our battle.

Sleepyhead – Passion Pit