Psalm 34:7:
7The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.
The Angel of the Lord under the Old Covenant was the preincarnate Jesus! Under the New Covenant, Jesus of Nazareth sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Believers are to be filled with the Spirit of God. We have a better Covenant, based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6)! NOW, when we FEAR (respect, revere, be in awe of) the Lord, we have the Holy Spirit within us to lead, guide and protect us and ministering spirits sent to minister FOR us (Hebrews 1:13-14)! Remember that this IS a BETTER Covenant! That means that every promise that isn't replaced by something else in the New Testament, is that much BETTER than the Old one! And to make sure we can get ourselves in position for this promise, we have verse 11:
11Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to revere and worshipfully fear the Lord.
We are told to come, so the first step is OURS! Then we are told to "listen" (KJV says "hearken"). This is the Hebrew word, "shama`", which means: to hear with attention or interest, to hear for the purpose of obeying. What does the Lord want us to listen to? He wants us to pay attention so that He can teach us HOW to fear the Lord! What better teacher could we have?! The next step is YOURS! Do YOU want to know how to properly operate in the "fear of the Lord"? There are many other promises for those who fear, revere and worship Him! Do your own study and meditation on this and you will be extremely blessed and ready to begin GOD SCHOOL! AMEN!
2 Thessalonians is preparing believers to endure the persecution that comes with the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth! KNOWING that there IS a reward for not allowing the enemy to get you side-tracked by feeling sorry for yourself because of persecution will help! Verses 7 and 10:
7And to [recompense] you who are so distressed and afflicted [by granting you] relief and rest along with us [your fellow sufferers] when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in a flame of fire,
10When He comes to be glorified in His saints [on that day He will be made more glorious in His consecrated people], and [He will] be marveled at and admired [in His glory reflected] in all who have believed [who have adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him], because our witnessing among you was confidently accepted and believed [and confirmed in your lives].
And then verse 11 directs our prayer!
11With this in view we constantly pray for you, that our God may deem and count you worthy of [your] calling and [His] every gracious purpose of goodness, and with power may complete in [your] every particular work of faith (faith which is that leaning of the whole human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness).
In 2 Kings 13-14 we see again the accounts of some of the kings of Israel and Judah. It has been so interesting to observe the results of choices that have taken place in the lives and reigns of all of these kings! They all had the same choice - to serve the Lord all of their days, or not! I didn't realize it before this time through, but it is pretty clear that when the king or ruler chose to follow the God of the Bible, the results they got were good and Godly and lasting sometimes for future generations! It doesn't COST to serve God, it PAYS! AMEN! When the king or ruler chose NOT to follow and serve the Lord, they were actually choosing satan, the enemy, as their lord and master! Then they got his results! It doesn't PAY to serve the devil and his crew, it COSTS! BIG TIME! But there is ALWAYS the opportunity to repent, change your thinking to agree with God, and move on, back in the center of His will for you! DO IT!
Shalom in Him!
