Today’s 333 Devotional: “Live Long and Prosper”

If you are a Star Trek fan you would remember Dr. Spock’s raised right hand, with his fingers parted in the Vulcan salute saying, “Live long and prosper.”

Actually, the hand sign comes from a Jewish priestly blessing. The fingers separated in this way signify the Hebrew letter “Shin,” which stands for “El Shaddai,” or “Almighty God.”

And Spock’s blessing, “Live long and prosper,” reminds me of God’s blessings to those who fear the Lord, that is, those who hold the Lord in such high esteem that they should walk in accordance to His word and His ways.

“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.” (Psalm 128:1)

The Psalmist says that they will be blessed, that is, they will be happy, their labor and household will be successful and filled with joy, and that in the end they will see good and peace.

But what does it mean to fear the Lord? The word “reverence,” would be more in line with the true meaning of the word. To reverence God is to hold Him in the highest esteem and respect.

Our problem is that instead of reverencing God, we reverence and respect humanity, and in the process, we try to bring God down to our level, rather than raising ourselves up to worship and bow down to Him.

When we humble ourselves that is when God will lift us up.

The Apostle James said, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

It’s only when we come to the end of ourselves, and at the end of trusting in everything and everybody else that we come to the understanding that it’s only when we fear the Lord Almighty, it’s only when we place Him in the highest place learning to hear His voice and walk in His ways that God’s blessings will be ours.

It is only then that we will live long and prosper.