Tag: fear God

Making Room and Avoiding Quarrels – 2025 Day 45 (Genesis 25-26)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 13; Genesis 25-26

“And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, ‘For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.'”

Genesis 26:22 ESV

When I came to Genesis 26:22, I felt led to look up that word “Rehoboth,” in my Blue Letter Bible app. I learned it means “broad place,” and I wondered, “Was the first well, the Esek (“dispute”) well, not in a broad place? How about the second well, the Sitnah (“opposition”) well, was it actually located in a narrow place? Or did Isaac and his herdmen make a conscious decision to avoid a quarrel, choosing peace over strife?“

The Lord had given them all of this land, but Isaac and his men made an active choice to avoid a quarrel. (Read the story for yourself in Genesis 26:17-22)

Then I was reminded of 1 Timothy 3:2-3 ESV, “An overseer must be above reproach … gentle, not quarrelsome …” The NASB95 translation says, “An overseer must be above reproach … gentle, peaceable.”

That word that the ESV translates “not quarrelsome” and NASB translates “peaceable” is amachos (G269). a + machos = not + fighting, not + contentious.

Paul uses this same Greek word amachos in Titus 3:1-2 ESV, “Remind them (that’s everyone, not just overseers or elders. See Titus 2:15 for more context) to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling (NASB95: be peaceable), to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

We can’t possibly talk about quarreling without looking at Proverbs. (Proverbs has a lot to say about quarreling!) Here’s a sampling of verses from Proverbs of quarreling:

  • Proverbs 17:14 ESV – The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
  • Proverbs 19:13 ESV – A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
  • Proverbs 20:3 ESV – It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
  • Proverbs 21:9 – It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
  • Proverbs 21:19 ESV – It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
  • Proverbs 25:24 ESV – It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
  • Proverbs 26:20-21 ESV – For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
  • Proverbs 27:15 ESV – A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;

And how about a few verses from Romans 12,

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:16-21 ESV

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father,

No matter how big or small my house, no matter how big or small my yard, no matter how many or few people I have to share my place with, You have indeed given me a wide place for my steps. The boundary lines You have given have fallen for me in pleasant places. I have a beautiful inheritance because You, Lord, are my chosen portion, and You hold my lot.

Whom shall I fear?

You are the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. I can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

I pray that so far as it depends on me that I will live peaceably with all. Help me, Father, to avoid quarrels, to keep a careful watch over my mouth that I may not sin with my tongue. Help me to guard my mouth with a muzzle, especially when the wicked are in my presence.

I pray that my mouth would be FILLED with Your PRAISE and GLORY all the day.

Please, Father, I pray that I would not be a quarrelsome or contentious wife. I want to be an excellent wife who does my husband good and not harm all the days of my life. I pray that I would open my mouth with wisdom and that the teaching of kindness would be on my tongue.

I pray all this to the glory of Your name and for Your Son Jesus Christ who gave Himself up for me to redeem me and to purify me, to make me a woman for His own possession who is zealous for good works.

Amen.

I love to pray scripture. This prayer was guided by Psalm 16:5-6; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 56:11; Psalm 118:6; Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 141:3; Psalm 39:1, Psalm 71:8; Proverbs 21:9, 19; Proverbs 31:12, 26; Titus 2:14

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Fear of God – 2025 Day 43 (Genesis 20-23)

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 11, Genesis 20-23

“Abraham said, ‘I did it because I thought, “There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.”‘”

– Genesis 20:11 ESV

How ironic that Abraham said “there is no fear of God at all in this place” when he deceived Abimelech! Wasn’t Abraham himself failing to fear God when he chose to deceive Abimelech and risk his own wife’s safety, saying that Sarah was only his sister, rather than confessing that she was his wife?

Fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Like Proverbs 8:13 ESV says, “The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Or like we read today in Psalm 11:4-5 ESV, “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.”

Yet, moments later we read Abraham does indeed trust God, going so far as to obey the Lord’s command to offer Isaac, believing that “God was able even to raise him from the dead,” (Hebrews 11:19)

Just as Abraham is about to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac, the Lord’s messenger says, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (Genesis 22:12 ESV)

It reminds me of Jesus’s words about proper fear,

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”

Luke 12:4-5 ESV

Followed by,

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

-Luke 12:6-7 ESV

Don’t fear man because they can only kill your body. Rather, fear God who has authority to cast you into hell, followed by …. FEAR NOT! You are way more valuable to God than many sparrows!”

Friends, God’s children don’t need to fear because He will protect them from His wrath by the blood of His Son, but whoever continues to turn away from Him better be afraid because He is a just and righteous judge.

Let us not “presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” (Romans 2:4)

Pray with me.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for sending Your Son, Your only Son, the Son You love, Christ Jesus, to be the propitation for my sins.

Let me not presume on the riches of Your kindness and patience. I humbly bow before You in reverence, seeing my need for a Savior. I was bound like Isaac, unable to escape from my sins, and Jesus was that perfect Lamb that was offered in our place.

I pray for a right fear of You, Holy God, that I would not be afraid of man nor of whatever daily circumstances that can indeed be scary. Let me not fear anything that is frightening because our trust is in You who judges justly. Help me to trust that You will provide whatever I need for today.

In the Name of my Gracious Savior and Lord Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

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El Elyon, God Most High – 2025 Day 38 (Genesis 13-14)

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 6; Genesis 13-14

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)

And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

And the king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.’

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich.”‘”

– Genesis 14:18-23 ESV

What does it mean that God is the God Most High?

God Most High is the possessor of heaven and earth, who gives offspring and land, who brings victory and defeat. God Most High is the supreme, sovereign authority over all things in heaven and on earth. Every knee bows before Him. He is the creator, sustainer, and owner of everything. He is the ruler over all things. He gives and takes away according to His will.

And Jesus Christ, God’s only Begotten Son, fully God and fully man, God in flesh, God with us, is our Great High Priest and King, higher than any earthly priest or king. Take a minute now to read more about it in Hebrews 7. Here’s a taste of it:

“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”

– Hebrews 7:26-27 ESV

Let’s remember who we are praying to! We are praying to GOD MOST HIGH, and we have His own Son, Jesus Christ, higher than any earthly high priest, interceding for us!

Heavenly Father, God Most High, Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth, Ruler of all creation,

What a privilege it is to come before you and to lay our needs at Your feet. We know that You hear us. We know that You see us. Even though You are almighty and transcendent over all creation, You love us, Your children.

We ask You, Lord, to provide for us our daily bread, to forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and to protect us from the temptations of the evil one. Give us eyes to see You and ears to hear Your voice. Strengthen our weak knees to follow You and go wherever You send us, trusting that You are indeed God Most High. Give us grateful hearts that recognize that everything we have is a gift from Your good, almighty hand.

We pray for our husbands and children, that they will submit willingly to Your Almighty power and mercy and holiness. Give them the strength to be humble and honest, to walk with integrity and faith. Give them hearts like Yours.

In the Most High Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and Priest, Amen.

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Finding Favor in the Sight of God and Man – 2025 Day 33 (Genesis 6-7)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 2; Genesis 6-7

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD…. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”

– Genesis 6:8, 9b

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”

– Psalm 1:1-4 ESV

“Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.”

– Psalm 2:10-11 ESV

Like Abel found favor with God because of his faith, so did Noah. Noah walked with God, and therefore he lived a righteous life. Noah had reverent fear of the Lord, therefore he obeyed God and was saved. Like Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

None of us can live a righteous life on our own. It is only in trusting the Lord that we are able to follow Him.

Think of how Noah must have felt to be told by God to build a boat in the middle of a desert. Think of how he must have faced ridicule. Peter refers to Noah as a “herald of righteousness.” (2 Peter 2:5). Imagine the animosity he must have faced, maybe even from his own family. Don’t forget what we just read about Cain and Abel – Cain hated Abel because Abel’s deeds were righteous (1 John 3:12).

As you read through Genesis, try to remember that these are real people living real lives in real communities not so much unlike our own.

I pray that the life of Noah will be an example for us of how to live a righteous life, delighting in God and His Word, serving Him with fear and reverence, even in the midst of a very unrighteous world.

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father,

I pray that we would bind steadfast love and faithfulness around our necks and write them on the tablet of our hearts. I pray that we would trust You, Lord, with all of our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding. Help us to acknowledge You in all our ways. Let us not be wise in our own eyes, refusing to give way to cowardice and fear of man, living in reverent fear, knowing that You are the living God.

I pray that You will strengthen our husbands that they will walk by faith and not by sight all the days of their lives. Please, Lord, make my husband like Noah who walked with You, that he might be righteous and blameless. Give him strength to live for You and not for himself. Guard his heart from the fear of man.

I pray, also, for our children who are growing up in the midst of such a wicked generation. I pray that they will shine brightly for You, bringing You glory with their every word and deed. I pray that they will not forget what we have taught them – and that we, as their parents, would be faithful to train them up in the way that they should go.

I pray that You would lengthen our days and the days of our children, that we might accomplish all the works that You have given us to do. Add years to our lives, not that we might spend them in wicked, vain pursuits, but that we might have not opportunity to bring You glory, honor, and praise for You are worthy!

In the precious name of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord I pray, Amen.

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