He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God. Joshua 4:24 (NIV)
My father has a tone of voice that means business. As a child, it frightened me into obedience. When I heard that tone inflected in his voice, I knew that something was not right. Fortunately, my dad used that tone of voice with my sister more often than with me, but it still had the same effect. I knew at that moment, my dad was demanding my attention and submission. As an adult, that tone of voice still affects me! In fact, it was only a few short months ago that I last heard my dad use that tone of voice. I had called my dad to ask him a question and seek his advice about a problem with my car. Looking back on the situation, I don’t think I really wanted his opinion. I just wanted him to agree with me. He kept trying to interject some very thoughtful and wise counsel, but I kept interrupting him. And then, I heard it! That tone of voice came through the telephone receiver and drew me to attention me just as much as is did when I was a small child sitting at the dinner table. “If you would just shut up and listen to me, I might be able to help you,” proclaimed the booming voice of my father. Now, you must understand that the tone of voice was not the only startling quality of this statement. In my parent’s household, shut up is and always has been a bad word. If individual words could receive ratings like movies, shut up would be rated R in my parents’ minds. I knew that if my dad was using a phrase he so deeply abhorred, along with the tone of voice, he meant business. Immediately, I was called to attention. I shut my mouth and truly listened to what my dad had to say. In that moment, God reminded me, that although I may be an adult, my father is still my father and deserves my respect. I may not agree with what he has to say, but I at least owe him the courtesy of listening. After all, I was the one who asked for his advice in the first place. How foolish can I be?
My dad’s tone of voice invokes fear. Not a fear of being physically or emotionally injured or attacked. My dad is one of the gentlest people I know. It is not a fear like small children have of monsters under their beds either. This fear is a sense of respect. This fear is the realization that I don’t have all of the answers and can benefit from the experience and love of my father. I just regret that it often takes this tone of voice to remind me that my dad is always deserving of such fear and respect. He deserves it because of his position, because of the love he has already shown me, and because of his promise to always take care of me. My desire should be to please him in all that I do. My desire should be to seek his wise counsel. My desire should be to honor him through my words, actions, and deeds.
What a moving picture of the relationship between father and child. There is one, however, who is more deserving of my fear and respect than my earthly father. Unfortunately, I treat Him much like I treat my dad. I get comfortable in my relationship with Him and fail to shower him with the respect He deserves. I so often fail to call on Him for guidance, and when I do, I don’t really want to listen to what He has to say. I want Him to agree with me. I want Him to tell me that I can do it my way. In fact, sometimes the only reason I go to Him in the first place is because I know I should. I don’t go with an open heart and an open mind. I approach Him with my mind made up and my feet firmly planted on the path of my choice. The one I am speaking of is my father, my Heavenly Father. In the book of Joshua, the prophet writes that God performed the great miracle at the Jordan River so that forever we would fear the Lord our God. I believe, though, that as the people of God, we have forgotten what it means to fear God, and the sad thing is, most of the time we don’t even care. We are more content to live our lives according to our standards, ignoring the loving God who created us to walk in communion with Him. When we truly fear the Lord, we are broken by our sin. Unfortunately, I find myself caught up in the trap of sin far too often. But it doesn’t break me. In fact, most of the time, it doesn’t even effect me. I take forgiveness for granted, and even though it is freely given, it is not something to be taken lightly. If I fail to pause and realize the wonder of God’s grace, if I forget the price that was paid for my sin, if I do not fall on my knees before my living God and acknowledge his pain and suffering at my expense, then I do not fear the Lord. My Savior cried out in anguish under the weight of my guilt and shame, yet I take my forgiveness and walk away time after time without shedding a tear. He who was innocent suffered at the hands of evil men on my behalf, yet I do not have to suffer because of his loving forgiveness. How can I truly say that I fear the Lord if I do not recognize the price of my sin and allow myself to be broken at the foot of the cross?
My gracious and loving heavenly father. Please forgive me when I fail to fear you. Please forgive me when I take your forgiveness for granted. Please remind me every day of your unfailing love. When I stumble, draw me to attention. When I fail you and follow my own path, gently lead me back to you with your firm hand. When I come to you seeking your advice, but with my mind already made up, remind me that you alone are all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, and forever faithful. Amen
5 years ago
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