(Psalms 25:12-14; Exodus 20:18-21; Proverbs 2:1-5; Ecclesiastes 12:13)
The word “fear” is used here with a meaning different from the word “fright” or “afraid”. Fear is used here with similarity to the word “reverence”. When we talk about the fear of God we talk about great reverence to God because He is great, holy, mighty and highly lifted up. Fear of God is not to be understood in the context of being afraid of a wicked or evil God. It should not be perceived as being afraid of a God who derives pleasure in putting people under suffering or punishment.
It is sin that scares us away from God because fear of evil hunts the evil-doers. Psalms 34:21 says evil will kill the wicked. Those who remain under the shadow of wickedness and evil are being chased around by terror of their deeds.
Whoever will not let God be his fear, will definitely be victim to the fear of who and what are less than God. Such as, fear of failure, fear of disappointment, fear of challenges, fear of problems etc.
It is the fear of challenges, fear of problems etc.
It is the fear of the Lord that does not let us disrespects Him easily and dares His Almightiness without caution. It warns our souls against ignoring God’s instructions and guidance.
Father has not called us to be frightened by is greatness but to genuinely reverence him. Being frightened causes retiring into inactivity, timidity, loss of confidence, keeping away from duty and responsibility. People in fright before the Lord lose the sense of God’s unconditional love, hence, lose the opportunity and benefit of enjoying His Fatherhood to us. For example, at Mount Sinai, it was the nature of sins in the Israelites that frightened them away from God’s presence. It actually kept them away from enjoying the purpose of God’s visitation.
To fear the Lord is not to run away from Him. Rather, to genuinely be confident in that our God is big enough to protect us.
What the fear of the Lord keeps you away from is not God’s presence but evil, wickedness, arrogance, fraudulent mouth and all evil ways.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
As the writer of Ecclesiastical put it, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13
Prayer points
1) Lord Jesus create in me a new heart that fears(reverences) You.
2) Mighty hand of the Holy Spirit, remove every seed of rebellion against God’s instructions from me, in Jesus name.
3) Whatever will make me Your enemy, Oh Lord, let it not have a part in me, in Jesus name.
4) I receive the Holy Spirit’s boldness that will make me approach the throne of mercy of God to obtain grace, in Jesus name.
5) Lord Jesus live in me and do not give me up to evil desires.
