Fear of God

Have you ever read a passage of scripture that convicts you and stays with you for a while? Psalm 86:11 is a verse that has done that for me recently.

Fear of God

This week's devotions are written by my son, Bryant Forshee, Lead Student Pastor for Cross Church, Springdale, AR campus, and former Junior High Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX.

- Pastor Danny

"Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name."

(Psalm 86:11, CSB)

Have you ever read a passage of scripture that convicts you and stays with you for a while? Psalm 86:11 is a verse that has done that for me recently. The part that has really stuck with me is the last part, and I love how the CSB puts it: "Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name."

For today's devo, I want us to think about and reflect on this statement: "Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name." For you personally, what part sticks out to you? What part convicts you? What part comforts you? Just take a few moments and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal this passage to you in a way that you experience God through the reading of His word.

Let's take this statement apart section by section. I am going to break it up into three parts:

1. Give me
2. an undivided mind
3. to fear Your name

I think it's interesting that David, the author, asks God to give him the ability to have an undivided mind to fear His name. David realized that if it was not given to him, then he could not have the undivided mind. David realized that he needed God in order to understand Godly truths, and we need to have the same humility in our own minds and hearts to understand Godly truths. When was the last time that you asked God to give you understanding? When we ask someone to give us something, we are admitting our weakness or inability and our need for intervention. When understanding spiritual truths, we have to admit our weakness and inability and ask God for His help. Be someone who is constantly asking God for the gift of understanding.

David then goes on to ask for an undivided mind. No wonder David asked God to give him this! With so many thoughts running through our minds, we have to ask God that He would grant us an undivided mind. Some of you have had to reread sentences from this devo because you have just spaced out and don't remember what you read a few sentences ago. I totally get that, and I think that's what David is talking about here. He wants God to give him an undivided mind so that He can fear God's name. He is asking for his mind to be centered on one thing and one thing only: fear of God's name.

Lastly, "to fear your name." This is holy reverence and awe for the name of God. This is worshipful fear where we are fixated on the holiness, purity, incredibleness of the name of God that reveals so much about God. David has asked for God to give him the headspace to worship God for who He is.

This verse has messed me up in the best possible way, and I hope it sticks with you today and you ask the same thing that David wrote: "Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name."