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March 5 – Preparing with love and fear

I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.” – Psalm 5:7

Scripture Reading: Psalm 5:1-12

David, under God’s inspiration, speaks here of going to the tabernacle to worship the Lord. What David said speaks to us this Sunday as we worship the Lord at church. God’s house of prayer is a special place: dedicated to the public worship of the Almighty. Here we listen to God’s Word preached, sing praises to God, have public prayer and share in the sacraments.

Our text urges us to worship in the proper spirit, today and at every service of Christian worship. We, like David, can enter God’s house aright, because in His divine love, God has laid His sovereign claim upon us. Those who by faith know God’s steadfast love are true worshippers and will receive a blessing. The proper spirit of worship also includes godly fear, that wholehearted respect and devotion, which is a hallmark of a true believer. When we fear the Lord, turning to Him respectfully, in awe of His majesty and amazed by His glory, then our worship is genuine and God pours out a blessing upon us as we appear in His courts.

God’s love and our reverent fear are basic to true and blessed worship. May your heart be prepared with such love and fear today as you go to church and as you prepare for the days of Christian remembrance in the month ahead. It is God’s steadfast love that motivates us to come and worship, and our godly fear of Him provides the proper spirit in which we gather together in church this Lord’s day.

Suggestions for prayer

Thank God for His wondrous love, which brought you into fellowship with Him and His people. Pray for a spirit of godly fear to fill your heart as you join in public worship today.

Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com

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