Psalm 34 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 34.

Meditate on verses 4, 7, and 11.

I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them.

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Fear is a repeated word in Psalm 34.  When God repeats Himself in the Bible, He wants you to notice and discover what He is teaching you.

Years ago I counted how many times the word fear was in the Bible and how it was used. I discovered 88 times God said, “Fear not.”  However, He said 122 times, “Fear God.”  Nowhere in the Bible could I find a situation where God said, “Be afraid of this person and situation.”  God said to fear Him.

People often do the opposite.  They are afraid of any and everything except Almighty God.  If people truly feared the LORD, they would not say and do the things they do.  Fearing God stops you from sinning against Him.

Exodus 20:20 explains well what God is teaching you today about fear.

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid;

 for God has come in order to test you,

and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you,

so that you may not sin.”

Pray Psalm 34:11-14 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, teach _________ and me to fear only You.

Because we desire life and love to see what is good,

keep our tongues from evil and our lips from speaking deceit.

Help us depart from evil and do good.

Let us seek peace and pursue it.

Because we fear Your name, LORD Jesus~”