Introductory Thoughts
The connection of fear and service cannot be missed. Worldly fear brings bondage and hinders Christian service; yet godly fear encourages the believer to serve the Lord in righteousness. In our passage, fear is yoked together with truthful and sincere service. Three different verses in 1 Samuel chapter 12 make the same connection (1 Samuel 12:14, 20, 24). In Psalm 2:11, we are admonished to “serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” According to Hebrews 12:28, we should “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” The fear of the Lord points forward to a time of judgment and reward. A man who refuses to fear God will never serve God with a sincere heart and pure motives.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Even though Noah had never seen rain, he feared the judgment of God that was coming upon a wicked world through a great flood. He obeyed God and built an ark to save himself and his family (Hebrews 11:7).
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(For everyone): Why would someone who does not fear the Lord be hindered in his service to the Lord? How is fear a good motivator in our service for God?
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Do you serve the Lord out of a pure and sincere heart? If not, could it be because you do not fear the Lord as you ought to fear Him?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to remind you of the judgment to come.
- Ask God to help you to serve Him with fear.
Song
ANYWHERE WITH JESUS
