“The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm” (Proverbs 19:23 ESV). Fear and rest do not usually go together. For fear itself produces anxiety. Yet this proverb describes the surprising relationship between fearing God and experiencing real rest. “Fear of the Lord”
Chapter: 19
THE LORD HAS NEED OF IT
“Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” (Luke 19:30–31 ESV). As Jesus
HAS JESUS COME TO YOUR HOUSE?
‘And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”’ (Luke 19:5 ESV). Zacchaeus wasn’t a popular person. As a chief tax collector, he was despised by many, seen as a traitor and a sinner. He was small
DO YOU HOLD TO THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS?
“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10 ESV). When John the Revelator heard the worship of heaven and the angel proclaim the blessing of being invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb, he fell down to worship the angel. But the angel rebuked him saying, “You must not do
HAVE YOU BROUGHT IT BEFORE THE LORD?
“Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord” (2 Kings 19:14 ESV). When King Hezekiah of Judah received a letter from the king of Assyria threatening to overthrow Jerusalem and mocking his dependence on
CONFESSION AND REVIVAL GO TOGETHER
“Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices” (Acts 19:18 ESV). An amazing thing began to happen in the city of Ephesus, new believers began to confess their sin and turn from their sinful practices. Their faith in Christ led to life-change. And their confession and repentance led to
TWO KINDS OF SPIRITUAL MOUNTAINTOPS
“And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God” (1 Kings 19:8 ESV). After God had used Elijah to win the victory over Baal’s prophets on Mount Carmel, he had no doubt expected a revival to break out
THE TESTIMONY OF BLOOD AND WATER
“But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water” (John 19:34 ESV). The apostle John, who was the only disciple near the cross when Jesus was crucified, was also the only gospel writer who reported these final details of Christ’s death. Perhaps John made
JESUS WEPT OVER JERUSALEM
“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it” (Luke 19:41 ESV). As Jesus approached the city of Jerusalem, it wasn’t the palm branch waving crowd, nor the beauty of Mt. Zion that drew His attention. For He saw it not only with physical eyes but with prophetic vision. He knew
HAS SALVATION COME TO YOUR HOUSE?
‘And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost”‘ (Luke 19:9-10 ESV). On his way up to Jerusalem Jesus stopped in Jericho. He ate at a tax collector’s house named, Zacchaeus.