January 4, 2026

Fear of the Lord – A Gift of the Holy Spirit

God wants us to recognize God’s glory,
to experience the awe and wonder
of One Who loves us in our lowliness.
That’s why, perhaps, “awe and wonder”
might better capture what this gift is about.
– from an article by Dr. John M. Grondelski

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Remember your Confirmation Day? Maybe not. Maybe you were like me when I was confirmed – about eight years old, covered with Mercurochrome from a recent scuffle, and totally oblivious as to how I would need the Holy Spirit to survive in life!

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But as oblivious as I was, I managed to memorize those 7 Gifts, and for a long time was a little troubled about why I needed to “fear the Lord”. My little brain wondered if I was wrong about the Lord always loving me! But, praise God, I wasn’t wrong!

As eight decades have passed, God has continually demonstrated that unfailing love. Especially when one of life’s opaque curtains falls, that love will peek through, a star of hope – an Epiphany. Eventually, we may come to understand “fear” more as astonishment and awe at God’s generosity. Like the Three Wise Royals, we may find ourselves in silent, confident, and grateful worship before such a mystery.

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Look at your life today – the present and the past. Count the times God has broken through the darkness for you. Let the remembrance, or perhaps the new awareness, convince you that there is nothing to “fear”. There is only awesome Love.

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Music: This Ancient Love – Carolyn McDade

I realize that I frequently suggest this song. That’s because I just love it and hope you do too. It captures everything, don’t you think?

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Suggested Scripture: Isaiah 60: 1-6

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For Your Reflection:

• What feelings or reactions do I have after reading this reflection?
• Do my feelings or reactions remind me of any passage or event in scripture, especially in the life of Christ? 
• What actions might I take today because of my response to these readings?