SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 25.

Scripture

“The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.” –Psalm 25:14

Observation

God has secrets that He reveals to whom He chooses. He chooses to reveal them to people who fear Him.

secret: intimacy, counsel
fear: to stand in awe, honor, awe, afraid

Application

Fear the Lord; Stand in awe of Him; Deepen my fear of doing anything that would displease the Almighty.

Focus always on God. Everyone (myself included) fears displeasing men. But to focus on the fear of man hinders the fear of God.

Unbelievers often mock the idea of “fearing God.” And yet, most of them are terrified by the fear of man, particularly the fear of peer pressure.

There are so many promises for the fear of God. I must meditate on these. And the fear of God is so absent in our day/our culture; I must be more aware of this in my own life.

Prayer

Father, I believe you have secret counsel that You only reveal to those who seek You with all their heart; to those who stand in awe of You; to those who fear you.

Through the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ, I know You have forgiven all my sins. You’ve delivered me from the fear of eternal torment and assured me of eternal life. I’m grateful for that assurance.

But, Father, might I never abuse that assurance. Might I have a holy fear of displeasing or disobeying You.

Father, teach me to have a godly, reverential fear of You on a much deeper level. And, Father, might You reveal Your secret counsel to me! There are so many areas where I need to know Your ways and Your paths!

I love You, I fear you! And I follow You!

In Christ’s Name, Amen.