LEARNING FROM CHRIST

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:11

There are far too many aspects concerning the fear of the LORD to cover in a series of Sunday school lessons spanning years, let alone in a single daily devotional. Nevertheless, today’s portion in Psalm 34 is a wealth of wonderful truth to enlighten the soul, encourage the heart, and empower the very-ness of our service to King Jesus. Many of the clues to godly fear are in, as our congregation in Ninilchik will tell you, one of my favorite psalms. Jesus tells us He will teach us, just as this verse prophetically inspires: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me” (Matt 11:29). What was the Lord’s yoke? It was the truth of the gospel of His incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and coming again; and this, centered squarely in the cross; or, by illustration of the yoke, most especially the crucifixion and the resurrection. As the Servant of God, by the yoke upon His neck as an energy transfer system, Jesus was so joined to the gospel, wherever the Spirit led was where He plowed. However the heavenly Father directed the reigns by the bits in His mouth, was how He responded. The plow connected to the yoke broke up the ground so the seed of the gospel could die in the earth, be nourished by the watered of the Spirit, and rise to new life, bearing fruit. Jesus as the Son, took the Father’s yoke upon Him. We, as Christ’s children, take His yoke upon us (and this is only one illustration of several). His tongue spoke truth (v13) because every word was backed by the purpose of His cross (John 18:37). Jesus always turned from evil (v14) because He despised the shame of sin so thoroughly, that He must endure the sufferings of the cross (Heb 12:2). In godly fear, Jesus blessed the LORD at all times and God’s praise was continually in His mouth (v1), even while He hung upon the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34); and, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”(Luke 23:46). To be taught by Jesus and to learn from Christ is to be so connected to the gospel truth of His cross, godly fear becomes a foregone conclusion.

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Today's M'Cheyne Reading Schedule: 4/23 - Lev 27; Psa 34; Ecc 10; Titus 2

If you don’t have one, get a free PDF copy of Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s “Daily Bread” Bible Reading Calendar by Clicking Here.

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