HIS TESTIMONY
1 Kings 18:20-40

Among ways of identifying what it means to fear God is when a man is consumed by the overwhelming awesomeness that is inhabited in the testimony of what God is doing or what He can do. Many places in the Bible recorded fear as the reaction of certain individuals or groups of people to the manifestation of God’s miracles. By this virtue, it is evident that the testimony of God’s work is the fear of God. Here is a testimony of how fear of God was manifested: “A certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?’”(Acts5:1-3) Ananias had no reason to lie, but he did. Peter’s responded to Ananias’ lie, “While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” (Acts 5:4) Evidently, there was no curse neither was there any physical approach to hurt Ananias, but the Bible records, “Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.” (Acts 5:5-6) Great fear was the fear that fell on the brethren because it was the fear of God. The same way it happened to Ananias so it happened to his wife Sapphira. God is greatly to be feared. The testimonies of His moves are fearful and He should be fearfully praised. On Mount Carmel, after the failure of the worshipers of Baal to prove that they served a living God, Elijah took his turn to demonstrate that his God is the only living God. Elijah went forward and called on God to show forth and demonstrate His power with fire that consumes. Unlike the Baal god, God in His might responded, “Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, ‘The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!’” (1 King 18:38-39) Fear and testimony to the greatness of God was the response of the people. Fear God! Meditate on His testimony because “…The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy.” (Psalm 33:18)

Prayer for today: Ask for the fear of God to overwhelm you in every area of your life.