Good morning, brothers and sisters.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 10:35, “But in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.”
As we near the end of October, we are fast approaching what most polls reveal to be the three most favorite holidays. Topping most lists is Christmas, followed by Thanksgiving, and then comes Halloween. And while celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving seems natural and makes perfect sense, even if tarnished by our crass sense of commercialism, the idea of celebrating Halloween does not. Even if you ignore the satanic background and macabre history, the actual idea of celebrating doesn’t seem to have a place with this holiday. Nevertheless, this final day of our tenth month is full of a strange amalgamation of diabolical opposites, and the full palette of expression is enjoyed and put on display with great fanfare and enthusiasm. Where else do the images of fairy tale princesses so naturally intermingle with sickles, zombies and killers of the night? In what other setting would it seem natural for a young superhero or M&M to walk hand in hand with a witch or a skeleton? And when else but Halloween are we willing to pay for and eager to experience the heart-stopping fear of what lurks in the dark? How did we get to where front yards, houses, forests and stores were transformed with candy and corpses, decorations and death, and parties were thrown based on fear and laughter? We are a strange people, and you need look no further than your front porch on Halloween night (except in the midst of a pandemic), where costumed kids behind masks and makeup ask for treats from strangers.
In that setting of my childhood, which still conjures up some wonderful memories for me going door to door in our middle-class neighborhood with my plastic pumpkin in search of mini Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, fear was never a concern. At least not for the kids. But those days did seem to have a healthier dose of the fear of God than exists today. Chances are, this Sunday, the day after Halloween, few if any preachers will deliver a message encouraging those in attendance to fear God. But if they looked in their bibles, even in the Testament that includes Jesus, they would see numerous exhortations to fear the God of love. It’s still biblical to fear our Creator, and doing so might make us far less afraid of everything else.
As we seek Him today, fear God, and worship Him in all His might and greatness. Let His supreme majesty bend your knees and embolden your spirit.
Have a terrifyingly brave Monday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
