“Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” Psalm 2:11
Devotion:
Generally, we think of fear as a bad thing, something to be eliminated. However, fear is actually a God-given trait.
Wisdom is learning to fear God and, in that fear, to serve Him. It means recognizing His authority, power, and glory, and stepping into the privilege of doing His bidding. This might sound odd at first, until we remember that He made us. It makes even more sense when we consider the alternative. We could go our own way, thinking that He isn’t all that important, but that would be utter foolishness.
We will serve someone, but Psalm 2 teaches us something very insightful about serving God: to serve God with fear is also to rejoice. This God, to whom all authority, power, and glory belong, delights the souls of His servants. When we bow to Him and tremble at His worth, our hearts are thrilled beyond amazement. We could serve something else, but it would only rob us of joy. The wise life and the joyful life converge in the service of God Almighty.
Prayer:
Lord Almighty, We humbly bow before You with reverence, acknowledging Your might and power, which fills us with holy fear.
Yet, in our lowliness before You, we are filled with delight. Serving You is unmatched beyond measure.
Grant us the grace to always embrace serving You as a privilege. Work Your will in us, and grant us the mercy to perceive You correctly. For when we truly see You, we are drawn to worship You, fulfilling the deepest desires of our hearts.
In Jesus’ name, we worship and pray.
Amen.
