Folly or Fear of God

Ezra 1; Psalms 84-85; Luke 7 

“I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints – but let them not return to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.”

Psalm 85:8, 9

If we are not listening to the Spirit of God through the Word, we will stumble into folly rather than dwell in peace. As we humble ourselves before the Lord and others, we experience God’s salvation and presence. Through the Lord’s discipline we grow in the fear of the Lord and his glory is reflected through our lives. Israel’s restoration and our restoration come through listening to the Lord in humility and repentance for all folly in order to know deliverance, freedom, peace, and to experience the fear of the Lord. It is the fear of the lord that causes our hearts to grow in sensitivity and receptivity to God’s counsel. Folly leads to death, while listening-obedience leads to life.

“Lord Jesus, I humble myself before you and repent for my folly. Deliver and save me, for your glory.”