Daily Ornament

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“How a Hayloft Taught Me To Respect God!”
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." – Proverbs 1:7

The “fear of the Lord” is not being “afraid" of God, as much as it is to respect His awesome power, His love and ability…and His ultimate authority!
For example; I have a fear (or better said a healthy respect) of electricity but it does not stop me from using it! I have just learned how to use it properly to the point where it becomes a benefit to me.
I lived on a farm until I was nine years old. Those were wonderful times and unfortunately ones that did not last near long enough. I loved going all over the farm with my Dad, feeding the cattle and riding the horses. I remember how I would watch as my Dad would go into the barn and go up to the hayloft to get hay for the livestock. I also remember him saying to me (on several occasions), "Do not go up there unless I am with you." I never understood why I had to have him there with me just to go up and see a stack of hay. But my curiosity got the best of me and one day while I was outside and away of the watchful eye of my parents, I decided that I was going to check this thing out. I was about three-fourths up the ladder when my foot slipped and I fell about 15 feet onto my back. My back hurt for several days but not near as much as my conscience! From that time on I did not go to the hayloft without Dad! In retrospect I fell off that ladder because I lacked the respect necessary to show caution.
Applying this to the scripture reference - when we reject God's wisdom it means we lack the desire to lead a disciplined life. A great number of people say they believe in God and many accept the Bible as His word. But when His Word tells them to stay away from the things that could cause them harm, or when the Word interferes with their lifestyle then they reject it! Simply stated, they want to do things their way! I sure hope for their sakes that they do not try to climb any haylofts!
Do you ever find yourself thinking about seeking to do the exact opposite of what you have been instructed to do or not to do? Why is that? Do we fully respect the unseen power of God's laws or do we take our chances and let the chips fall where they may? Every law, the ones we like and especially the ones we don't all find their origins from One eternal source...THE MIND AND WILL OF GOD!
Perhaps the best way to respond to this comes from the Psalmist: "Question; How can anyone remain pure and clean in this life? Answer; when they live the way God planned for them to live!" - Psalm 119:9 (Taken from The Message)
Both our culture and the Church are faced with issues that are challenging God’s authority! Where are we when it comes to this challenge? Do we respect God’s authority or accept it when it is convenient? Something to think about when a “spiritual hayloft” is in front of you.
Pastor J. T. Carnell