"How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord."

-Psalm 128:1

Having ministered in Russia over a period of 12 years, I learned from the Russian people what it is like to live in fear. Their greatest fear is fear of doing something the ruling elite does not like. Without even breaking the law, they can experience the loss of everything, imprisonment, and death for the lack of approval or opposition to the socialist dictatorship. This was illustrated again this week when 400 people were arrested for paying tribute to an opposition leader who died in prison knowing he was possibly put to death. This reminds me of a coming world leader made known in Scripture who will martyr millions because this "man of lawlessness" will disapprove of who they honor. But the Bible does not emphasize the fear of man. For we read in Scripture, "The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?... The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?" Jesus said, "And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." "O fear the Lord, you His Saints... You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord... How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord." Be encouraged!

Scripture References: Psalm 128:1; Selected Scripture