PaPatriot

Bible Study, Backpacking, Camping, Disc Golf, Fishing

My favorite bible verse is the one that hit this once proud man like a hammer and forced me to see myself as I was (a fool) and to see God for who He is. I picked up my bible with an attitude as I read thru the book of Job. I thought that Job and I had much in common. Boy was I wrong. Job was a righteous man, tried by God for my good. I was a fool and a rebel, who considered myself to be wise... Until I arrived at Job 28:28

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

I couldn't get past it. I read it over and over, digesting it bit by bit. I was confronted with the fact that my idea of wisdom was in fact the foolishness that had led me down the road to brokenness and despair.

This verse is the story of repentance in a nutshell. Like the chiefest of fools, I had lived a life of continual trespasses against the true and living God, the Holy One. I did not fear the Lord, and in fact, had picked up His holy word with an attitude of holding the righteous God in judgment. How fortunate I am that He did not mete out the wages I deserved.

The truth of the words hit me like a hammer and crushed my prideful spirit. I was shown by the Holy Spirit the error of my ways. I knew biblical wisdom for the first time that night, when, like in our familiar and beloved hymn Amazing Grace, "'twas grace that taught my heart to fear." The newfound fear of the Lord led me to its natural conclusion; to depart from evil, the second half of repentance. I fell to my knees as the last bit of foolish pride fled away. I confessed my sin, turned away from them and toward the righteousness of God, and departed from my evil ways. In the mind of God, I was transported back in time and was baptized with Jesus into His death. I was washed in His blood and was raised in newness of life. I stood up from the floor, a new creation in Christ Jesus! Praise be to God!