Beatitudes #3—Fearfully Fortunate

I sought Yahweh’s help, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. … How fortunate are those who seek protection in him! None of his loved ones who fear Yahweh will lack anything good! Psalm 34:4–9

From a watery mass characterized by emptiness and formlessness God created a full-featured world filled with an vast variety of amazing life forms. Indeed, “the fullness of the earth is his glory!” But not only is it full of fabulous flora and fauna, it is also chaotically wild and dangerous. When he placed us in his world, he gave us the capacity to recognize danger and respond accordingly. And, as it turns out, we humans are the most dangerous creatures we’ll ever face. We’re dangerous because we are unpredictable. And we’re dangerous because many of us oppose what God is doing in his world and array ourselves against our neighbors. If we call on God for help, he will deliver us from our fear and from our inclination to try to rescue ourselves at the expense of others. God is the judge. So we would be wise to fear his justice and to make him our refuge. When we do, he will be our sanctuary. How do we act when we fear God? We act lovingly toward our dangerous neighbors: We refrain from “speaking deceitfully.” We “turn aside from evil and do good.” We “seek to secure their well-being.” This is right; so God looks for this in us, hears us when we cry for help, and delivers us from our troubles.

Oh, Lord, fill my life with your great goodness, the grace you give as a treasure for those who fear you, which you make available to me as I publicly take refuge in you.