“If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to
all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”-James 1:5
Psalm
85, verse 10:
10 Near indeed is
his salvation for those who fear him; glory will dwell in our land.
This psalm is a national lament reminding God of past favors and
forgiveness and begging for forgiveness and grace now. A speaker represents the
people who wait humbly with open hearts: God will be active on their behalf. [1]
This is a prayer that asks that the Lord restore favor to the land. We must not fear but revere! This is Holy
fear which acknowledges, He that is, and that we exist in and through Him by
the saving grace of Christ and the action of the Holy Spirit. The opposite of
revere is to despise. There are many in our country and world who despise the
Lord. How did this come about?
According to the US Army Leadership manual[2]
followers tend to ask two questions: 1) Is the leader powerful? 2) Does he care
about me?
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Does He care about me?
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Does He have power?
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Yes
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Yes
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No
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Trusted and Respected
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Feared
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No
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Tolerated
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Despised
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To get to Holy fear we must know that God has power (thus
acting accordingly by following his commandments) and know that He cares about
us. To not do this we will fear, tolerate or despise our Lord but if we
acknowledge His power and His love we will have reverence and according to the
second part of this verse, “Glory will dwell in our land.”
St. Michael Helper of the Sick and Dying[3]
Saint Michael the Archangel was the
protector of Israel and is also traditionally known as “The Medicine of God.”
Saint Michael as the military captain of the church of God has a great interest
in the happenings of his people, their calamities and he does not overlook
their calls for his aid. Let us therefore have recourse to him in times of
sickness. He will most certainly come to our assistance bringing the healing
graces of the Redeeming Blood. Yet, if it is the will of the father that we
depart from this world Saint Michael does not abandon us for he is especially
our advocate at our hour of death and assists at every deathbed for it is part
of his office to receive the souls of the elect on their quitting the flesh.
When the last hour of our earthly career draws near we are confronted by that
awful moment when our soul must leave the body which it has loved so much, to
pass through the narrow portal of death, satanic hosts like raving lions will
make a last attack upon our souls. But we need not fear (but be at peace) if
during life we have had devotion to the Precious Blood and have been faithful
in venerating St. Michael and imploring his aid. He will cover us with his
strong shield and lead us safely through the midst of our enemies.
Daily Devotions/Prayers
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