Fear of the Lord

A litany for worship inspired by Psalm 111:10 and Mark 1:21-28

by Ken Sehested

The psalmist proclaims: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Who can imagine a fear-mongering, molesting God?

Quite a few, as it turns out, which is why faith appears so distasteful, disturbing, dreary and dreadful, despondent, maybe even devilish.

Is wisdom the result of browbeaten obedience?

Does God derive pleasure from groveling and haggling? From cowering creatures too timid to rise?

Does Capernaum’s bondage, convulsing in fear, foreshadow the Beloved’s demise?

Or does reverence result from disruptive encounter with splendor full tendered and blessed?

Only demons fear the Nazarene’s rebuke, restoring the soul of the possessed.

Stand amazed, every earthling, and praised be the One who authors the Breath of salvation.

Terror’s tyranny ends (and wisdom begins) with each shout of glad adoration.

©ken sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org