September 20th - Reflection

Proverbs 14:12-31 (NRSV)
Oppressing the poor

There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way to death.
Even in laughter the heart is sad,
and the end of joy is grief.
The perverse get what their ways deserve,
and the good, what their deeds deserve.
The simple believe everything,
but the clever consider their steps.
The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.
One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly,
and the schemer is hated.
The simple are adorned with folly,
but the clever are crowned with knowledge.
The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The poor are disliked even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.
Those who despise their neighbors are sinners,
but happy are those who are kind to the poor.
Do they not err that plan evil?
Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.
In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
The crown of the wise is their wisdom,
but folly is the garland of fools.
A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who utters lies is a betrayer.
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and one's children will have a refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
so that one may avoid the snares of death.
The glory of a king is a multitude of people;
without people a prince is ruined.
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
but passion makes the bones rot.
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but those who are kind to the needy honor him.

Reflection
The fear of the Lord was always such a puzzling expression to me in my early years. Pastor Bergdahl helped me understanding this. A fear that brings forth awe, honor, a desire to obey, and an expression of spontaneous love that overflows from the soul. Those were the components of his definition.  And in that definition I can see how you would have a strong confidence in God. A confidence that builds a faithful hope in an outcome that God has prepared in your favor. Not an easy path to the outcome, but an assurance that lives will be saved and you will change in such a great way that life will be brand new.

Funny how God takes the word fear and changes it all around into something great.

Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I am filled with that awesome fear of awe, honor, desire to obey and your vast love for me and your people. May that fear overflow into your world this day. --- Amen