June 7, 2010
God Hears and Saves Today
“He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.”
Psalm 145:19
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What do you desire from life? More money, power, or strength? How about better friends, longer life, less weight, and more happiness? Everyone has their own desires. David talks about the desire of people who fear God. In the Hebrew text, David joins the word “fear” with the word “desire.” He means that God will only fulfill the desire of the people who fear Him. With fear in our hearts, God intends to fulfill our desires.
The attitude you carry in your heart about God really makes a difference in how you live with God. I have met believers who think that God will punish them at any moment if they step out of line. Those folks do not take Romans 8:1 seriously enough: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (page 1768). I am also struck by my friends who do not believe that God is at peace with believers: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:1). So, God means that we have peace with Him because of Jesus Christ, and that Jesus Christ has taken all the punishment for our sin upon Himself, so we no longer have any fear of punishment. As we try to comprehend God telling us that we should fear Him, we know that He expects us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling: “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). So, we should fear God and live before Him in Godly fear and trembling.
David also talks about God hearing the cry of the people who fear God. David knew all about crying out to God for salvation. King Saul chased David out into the wilderness, and tried to kill him on several occasions. When you fear God in your heart, you will trust God and cry out to Him for help. You see, God does not allow us to fear anyone but Him: “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
So, we may conclude that God does intend for us to fear in Him in our everyday lives. This fear should produce obedient love for Him. It should also motivate us to call upon God to rescue us from sin, and deliver us from evil. He alone should we fear, and He alone will save us.
Application for Today
Today I will live in fear of God, yet counting upon His lovingkindness. He will hear me when I cry out to Him, and He will save me. Who will you cry out to today?
