Ephesians 5:15-33

Be Still: Lord, would you meet with me profoundly this morning during my time with you and reveal to me something of yourself. Amen

Read:  Ephesians 5:15-33

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (v15-16)

Encounter: This passage covers issues of marriage and relationships, but the part that stood out to me was the above verses. How do we live in wisdom? Proverbs 9:10 tells us ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.' We are instructed in our walk with the Lord to walk in wisdom, which starts with the fear of the Lord. 

What does it mean to fear the Lord?  The Hebrew word used for fear in the original text is ‘yirah’ which does include terror and trembling, but is also translated as awe, reverence, and respect. The kind of reverence and respect that we should treat an authority figure in our lives, like a parent. My dad and I have always had a good relationship – I know that he loves me, and he has my best interests at heart. So, if my dad asks me to do something, I don’t doubt him or his intentions; I trust that he’s got my back through it and that things will be ok. We remember this as we look at the latter part of this passage. 

‘The days are evil’: in Matthew 24:6-12 Jesus mentions events  that will happen before his return. There will be wars, famine, and earthquakes. When we look at the world around us, we may feel we are surrounded by evil as we walk through its brokenness. That is why we are instructed to walk in wisdom, to walk in awe of the Lord, trusting that he’s got our back and that he won’t lead us astray. 

Apply: How might your daily decisions look different if they were rooted in a deeper fear/awe/reverence of God? Do you think you trust Go in all the spaces and walks of your life right now?

Devote: Lord, would you daily restore within me a holy fear, awe and reverence for you. Please help me to live a life that honours you every day.