Fortune of Fear

Today's devotion from the book Consolationby Chas. E Cowman "We all started somewhere at some point in our journey as a believer'was my dad's reply a few months ago when I asked him to prayfor someone who, as yet, has not taken the first step of faith.How often since then, those words have encouraged me not to give upin lifting my loved ones to God in prayer,whether it is for the first, sacred, genuine step of confessing that we are a sinnerand need Jesus as our Saviour, or in the ups and downs that follow repentance and belief.On Sunday, the pastor closed his message with encouragement,reminding us the Christian life is a course of ups and downs,feeling near to God on some days and on others dayswondering why He doesn't feel so near.He encouraged us to cling to the truth of a changeless God,who, no matter how we feel steadfastly abides with us,So then, he reminded us to abide in the Vine so we may live a fruitful lifefor apart from Him we can do nothing. John 15:5“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me,and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Proverbs 3:7:"Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil" Matt.10:28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Heb.10:31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. It is impossible to truly love or follow God until we truly fear Him;Until He who loved us so much He gave His Son/himselfto break the curse of sin, so all who believewill never perish but have everlasting life... until this Holy God confounds our utter thoughtas we try to fathom His love, mercy and holinesswe will fail to live the Christian life.As our reverence/fear for God grows,so grows our love. Ps.103:11For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; (read the whole glorious chapter of Ps.103) Lord let not faith be warped by sightNor trust, by understandingBut let the fear of Thee delightMy will with Thy commandingAnd let devotion not be swayedBy ups and downs of livingLord, keep my want-prone wonder stayedBeneath Thy cross, life-givingAnd woo me, not with worldly creedOr fortune's vain ovation/persuasion But, help me pay more earnest heedTo Thee, Rock of salvationThat I may gain a heart of loveOf wisdom's priceless treasureAnd grow in grace and knowledge ofThee, one true God, foreverAmen Janet Martin Ps.62:2He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.