Beyond Fear: One Year Bible Reading for May 25

Today we read from the One Year Bible in the following verses:

2 Samuel 7:1-8:18
John 14:15-31
Psalm 119:33-48
Proverbs 15:33

Let's look at the Proverb. It says, "Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor." So, like I've mentioned in earlier blogs, we begin our journey into wisdom with the fear of God. Once we've traveled along that road for awhile, we begin to grow beyond fear and into love of Him.

Same with humility and honor. Aslan says something very profound in the Narnian chronicles. He says, "You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve. And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth. Be content." So our walk with Jesus will eventually end in honor, but it begins in humility. As Mother Teresa said, Humility is reality. It's not denying your gifts and abilities. It's using them for Him.

Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD. We begin with fear and with seeking justice. An eye for an eye. Kill those who have hurt people. Don't let them get away with it. But we grow beyond fear and justice, and we learn love and mercy and grace. That's why Jesus calls us to forgive those who have wronged us - just like He has forgiven us.

We experienced a huge evil today. A very troubled young person took a gun and ended the lives of 14 elementary school kids and three teachers before being gunned down by law enforcement. Fear and justice cry out, "To hell with this evil person! And let's make laws to make sure this never happens again!" But the love and mercy and grace of God call us who have been forgiven, to forgive. To pray for those who are hurting today, and to pray for the repose of the souls of those who died so early. But let's also remember to pray for the tormented young person who died in the middle of an act of horrific violence.

Let's grow past fear and remember His love.

God, thanks for calling us to forgive as You forgive us. Help us to pray for those who need it most.