Inspiration and Fear (of God)

Jeremiah 32:40

⁴⁰ I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.

 

The Lord is so gracious to His people that no matter how many times the Israelites failed Him, He still gave them another chance. 

Notice that this verse reveals to us God’s wonderful expression of love – the covenant promise to “never stop doing good.”  Then He goes on to say “I will inspire them” which if those who are touched and acquires of the power of this inspiration as a result, “they will never turn away from me…”  This tells me that God’s inspiration, if responded upon, will cause a person not to turn away from the Lord.  On the other hand, if a person rejects this inspiration, then it is of great possibility that the person will turn away from God.

In the KJV, it says, “but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.” God has put “Fear (of Him)” in our hearts so we may not depart from Him.  This fear of God is conviction, the urge to please Him and do what’s right, to walk in His righteousness, to live in purity, etc… to apply to “Fear (of God),” is to do the response to this fear = obedience, love, respect, priority, etc.  With that, we will never depart from God’s presence because as He has instilled fear in our hearts, it can cause us to either walk in His presence or neglect His presence in our lives.

 

// I praise God that He has instilled fear in my heart.  I will fan the flame of this inspiration that God has given and put in my heart.  I will continually obey Him, love Him, put priority in His ways, respect His presence and acknowledge His presence in everything I do, go or say.  I will not depart from the Lord because I have His inspiration in my heart – just like He gave it to the Israelites. 

 

// Thank You Lord that You never stop doing good to me.  You are so awesome and I just thank You that You have instilled fear and inspiration in my heart.  I have the opportunity to remain in You all the days of my life; and I will never let go of that.  Please help me to do this on a daily practical level.  May You be evident in my life as I continually live it for Your glory and honor.  I praise you always, in Jesus’ name, amen.