FEAR THE LORD
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. —Acts 9:31
This Word from God is a great encouragement. The church not only grows through persecution, but here we see that God also strengthens, encourages and increases His church when enjoying “a time of peace.” The key in this verse for the church to increase is that it is “living in the fear of the Lord.”
“Luke records that “a sense of awe came over everyone” (Acts 2:43) and again that “fear came upon the whole church” after Ananias and Sapphira’s death (Acts 5:11). This atmosphere of holy seriousness protected purity and accelerated witness: “So the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed peace … being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:31). Reverent fear and Spirit-comfort existed side by side.” — https://biblehub.com/greek/5401.htm
If the church is not growing, it just may be that it isn’t “Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit.” Do you and I really live in an “atmosphere of holy seriousness protected purity?” Are we living in the “fear of the Lord?” Are we being “encouraged by the Holy Spirit?” Are we seeing “accelerated witness” in our own lives and in the lives of other believers around us? When was the last time we shared the gospel with someone?
“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13). So, with that definition, do you and I fear the Lord? If so, then we know that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). So, “Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him” (Psalm 33:8). Truly, “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God” (Isaiah 50:10). Those followers/disciples of Jesus need to know that “Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor” (Proverbs 15:33). And so, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding” (Job 28:28). Do I fear the Lord? Do you? Maybe we need to repent and be and do what He desires…
It just may be that the church can also be asleep in times of peace and our Lord just may use persecution to wake us up. It doesn’t necessarily need to happen if the church during “a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit.” May you and I live like this and encourage others to do so as well. Then we will see “it increased in numbers” as our Lord is given His proper place, being exalted and loved above all else. Oh, Dear Father, may this be the case by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Precious Son Jesus. So may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EePCIVJLIbk&list=RDEePCIVJLIbk&start_radio=1