Holy Fear

This is the fourth devotion in the Seeing By Faith Devotional Series. This devotion is based on Hebrews 11:7 where Noah is commended for his faith and holy fear of the Lord.

Focus verse

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.

Hebrews 11:7

Devotion

It takes fear of the Lord to see by faith and not by sight. One great example of tremendous faith comes from none other than Noah.

It was faith in the Lord that induced Noah to obey God’s word about building the ark.

It was faith in the Lord that led Noah to keep building the ark, day after day, until completion. It was faith in the Lord that caused Noah to get his family into the ark seven days before the flood began.

The account in Genesis even emphasises in two different places that Noah did everything just as the Lord commanded him. (Genesis 6:22, 7:5)

This is all pretty remarkable when we think how hard it would have been to do these things with no physical evidence of God’s promise. The only thing Noah had was God’s word to him that He would send a flood.

From all this we see that Noah feared the Lord, rather than fearing man. Indeed it was his holy fear of the Lord that led him to obedience, despite not seeing the evidence of God’s word straight away.

That is how it is to be with you and I. God calls us to obey Him in holy fear. To do what He asks of us, whether we see any evidence of His word, or not. God calls us to both see by faith and to obey by faith.

Questions for Reflection

• What do you sense God is calling you to do in obedience to Him?
• How can you take steps in obedience to God’s word despite your feelings and/or circumstances?

Prayer

Lord, I choose to obey You. May I see by faith and not by sight. May I fear You Lord over all else. Lord, I am weak on my own, so I ask that You would empower me by Your Spirit. Help me to be obedient. Show me how to be obedient. Thank You for Your grace and patience towards me. Amen!