(An imaginary conversation between God and me.)
GOD: Though I inspired a lyricist to write Psalm 147:11 long ago, its truth remains. I still delight in those who fear Me and put their hope in My unfailing love.
ME: What does it mean to fear you, Lord?
GOD: Let’s begin with an example from the physical realm.
Think of standing on a ridge above an ocean beach after a tropical storm. You watch in amazement as mammoth waves pound against the shore—powerful enough to slide a building off its foundation. That display manifests a modicum of My power. . .
. . . And your emotional response offers a small sample of the wonderment that can well up in your spirit when you gaze upon Me, contemplating the splendor of My attributes and the ways I manifest them.
Another example: Remember that time when an actor came to your church and portrayed Jesus, telling stories from His life? His physical appearance matched how many people imagine Christ may have looked.
As the actor entered the sanctuary from the back and slowly walked toward the platform, he fixed his gaze on one person after another, including you.
And what was your reaction? Instant awe and reverence—so strong, you had to stop yourself from bowing down at his feet as many did in Bible times.
Of course, your response was not for the actor but for the One he represented—your forgiving and self-sacrificing Savior.
This is the kind of fear the psalmist was referring to in Psalm 147:11. It is veneration that recognizes your human frailty compared to My infinite transcendency and prompts the desire to worship Me and follow My excellent ways.
ME: I do want to follow Your ways, heavenly Father, but often fail. I thank You for loving me because of who You are, not because of who I am.
And yet, understanding that certain behaviors please You does inspire me toward obedience.
That verse also says you delight in those who put their hope in Your unfailing love. What does effectual hope look like?
GOD: First, confident. It pleases Me when My children look for evidence of My attributes at work in their lives and as the evidence mounts, become more and more confident in My love.
Second, tranquil. My gracious love for you is affirmation of My acceptance of you and pleasure in you. I don’t just put up with you, I love you. You are a unique creation I designed with care. Rest secure in such truths.
Third, diligent. Hope involves wait-time. The person who hopes in Me fills that wait-time with:
- TRUST in Me to provide loving care even as she waits
- GRATITUDE for what I’ve already done
- PRAISE for what I’ll do in the future
- ASSURANCE of the truth of My promises
- DRAWING NEAR to Me, availing herself of My strength, encouragement, and more
And as you put these hope-filled, life-changing actions into practice, I’m delighted.
ME: How do I accomplish that last action, Lord, drawing near to You?
GOD: Again, a visualization might help. Imagine sitting on a footstool at My feet. Look up into My face and see in My eyes the devoted love I have for you. See in my smile the delight you bring Me. Feel My warm compassion as I wrap My arm around your shoulders.*
Bask in My presence and know that I—the King of the universe—delight in spending time with you in My Word, through prayer, and just resting in companionable silence.
Know this also: I delight in those who fear Me and put their hope in My unfailing love because of the resulting, ever-growing relationship between us, and these are the ones who will experience the fullness of My joy (Psalm 16:11).
But saints are lovely in His sight,
He views His children with delight;
He sees their hope, He knows their fear,
And looks, and loves His image there.
–Unknown (Quoted by Herbert Locker in Seasons of the Lord, 246.)
* Psalm 99:5; 11:7; Ephesians 3:18-19; Psalm 149:4; 86:15.
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Perfect!
Thank you, Cathy. Praise God for his inspiration and direction!
Thank you, Nancy, for sharing your conversation with God and how He may have answered questions which many of us have. It was really quite informative! 🙂
I’m so glad you found this an informative read, Nancy. Praise God!
The diligent part can be hard because if we do not keep our focus on Jesus, we can lose heart
Very true, Matt. Continual connections is vital!
This conversation with God is revealing of both His heart toward us and yours toward Him. May we all strive to have this relationship and natural, continual give and take with the Father who will always love us eternally when we submit to Him and obey His will. You’ve convinced me here, Nancy, of what our prayer time with Him should and could be. May God always bless you!
Thank you Martha for your kind comments. I’m still on the learning curve of impactful prayer, but can also see progress through the years. Writing my impressions from God helps me focus and slow down my thoughts so I can absorb more of His truth, wisdom, encouragement, and challenge. NOT that I write such prayers every day. But when I do I always come away feeling very blessed.
In sharing this, you drew over and over again from the Psalms. They are a wonderful source to lead us in fearing the Lord. Thank you for sharing your conversation with our powerful, but loving, Father.
Linda, you’ve inspired me to study more closely those verses in the psalms about fearing God, to see what else I might learn about this important attitude! Thank YOU!
Again, much to chew on here. I’ll be reading it again. Blessings, Nancy.
I pray you find some delicious morsels of encouragement as you do, Patty!
I know I will, Nancy!
my wife and I and 3 other couples survived a Derecho 25 years ago while wilderness camping. While trees were snapping off all around us in 100mph winds, we were experiencing something way beyond our scope of control. Awe, sheer terror, even a peace of sorts. There was no warning. I would imagine to fear the Lord has some of these things. But probably we need to experience something of the immensity of God who is much more powerful than any storm. I don’t think I can drum up fear without some kind of personal experience to warrant that kind of healthy respect at minimum. That kind of God (which He is) is able to take us out or totally protect us. I would strongly advise taking Him at his word.
Thank you for sharing your harrowing experience and subsequent insight, Gary. To fear the Lord is to recognize he is sovereign over all, and we have very little control–especially in circumstances like horrific storms! And you’re right. When we “experience something of the immensity of God” we better know what it means to truly fear him. Indeed, to take him at his word is the wisest choice!
This was profoundly helpful in picturing me at the feet of Jesus, looking into His eyes of love and delight, and sensing His great joy in me. It is not something I consider daily, and yet I should. Thanks for giving me a space to feel His presence and power.
Praise God he used this post as “a space to feel His presence and power.” That warms my heart, Dayle! Thank YOU for sharing.
Too often we don’t think about how God delights in us and how He love having us near. What you shared today is precious. Thank you.
Thank you Jean. God’s love for us and his delight in us ARE worthy affirmations to meditate upon frequently–to help keep false guilt and discouragement far from our thoughts!
What does effectual hope look like? What a profound question and beautiful answer.
Thank you, Wynne. As always I have to thank God for his guidance and inspiration!
Hi Nancy–yikes! alllll this time I had your posts toggled on “Pause” in my WordPress settings. Goodness, it’s nice to hear your voice again.
I loved this parsing out of what ‘effectual hope’ is–what a perfect perspective.
Hello, long-time blogger friend!! How delightful to see your name in my inbox. I thought perhaps you’d set new priorities in your life and weren’t participating in the blog-world any longer. I’m so glad you found value in the statements on “effectual hope.” As always, praise God for his inspiration!
I love that last quote!!! Very inspiring post…I also love the passage 1 John 4:10. It is one I think of often…
I too praise God for the truth of 1 John 4:10, Linda! And I’m so glad you liked that last quote. It spoke assurance to my heart too.
Nancy,
The powerful wave has purpose showing God’s strength. While a flower shows His creativity and beauty. He is not His creation but His voice, His power is the life within.
In Christ, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Well said, Gary!
Your reference to PSALM 139:14 ties in perfectly to a post I read today from a pastor friend of mine. – “I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.”
He wrote: ‘ Counting the bacteria in your intestinal tract there are more than 68 trillion cells in your body. “If we magnify a cell a thousand million times . . . we would then see an object of unparalleled complexity . . . resembling an immense automated factory . . . an awe inspiring spectacle . . . containing ten million million atoms . . . .’ (From “Evolution: A Theory In Crisis”) “Great and marvelous are your works Lord God of hosts . . . .” Rev. 15:3”
Nancy, I forwarded his post to you on FB Messenger where you will find an amazing picture of a cell magnified. It is absolutely beautiful, verifying how we are indeed amazingly and miraculously made.
I love coming across information like this that fuels my awe and wonder for God! Thank you for sharing, Cheri. The title of the article, “Evolution: A Theory in Crisis” is highly encouraging, isn’t it? I look forward to reading you pastor-friend’s article!
This conversational style makes the truth really pop out!
TT
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Thank you, Michele. Praise God for his inspiration!