Take a moment to think what you are afraid. We all have our own unique list of fears. Fear can be either a positive or a negative emotion. A healthy fear will keep you out of trouble and danger. This is especially so with a cautious and holy awe and reverence toward God. Yet there is also a cowardly type of fear that holds people back in the wrong way, which the Bible condemns. Both kinds are found in the Bible. It’s vital to know the difference between the two kinds of fear and to develop the right kind while avoiding the wrong.
The phrase “fearing God” or “the fear of God”
is mentioned more than 300 times in scripture. The
Bible speaks of the need to fear God,
but what does this mean? What should it look like in our lives? Sometimes when
we think about fearing God, we feel like we might lose out on the good things
in life. But the truth is there are many blessings that come with acknowledging
God’s sovereignty and power. Here are a few reasons why fearing God is a wonderful
idea:
The
fear of God gives knowledge- “Knowledge begins
with fear and respect for the Lord, but stubborn fools hate wisdom and refuse
to learn.” (Proverbs
1:7) Many people are knowledgeable on
many subjects. Yet they are ignorant about what matters most because they don’t
know (or fear) God.
The
fear of God is required of us- “You must follow the Lord your God. Respect him. Obey his commands
and do what he tells you. Serve the Lord your God, and never leave him.” (Deuteronomy
13:4)
The
fear of God will fulfill your desires- “All of you who revere Him— God will satisfy your desires. He hears the
cries for help, and He brings
salvation.” (Psalm 145:19) If you are following God in obedience and
living as He wants, He will hear your prayers. However, this doesn’t guarantee you’ll
receive everything we request. Fearing God means you will want what pleases
Him. As you first delight in the God, He responds by giving us those desires
that align with His will.
The
fear of God gives confidence- “People who respect the Lord will be safe, and they will make their
children feel secure.” (Proverbs
14:26) Boldness comes as a result of
living in dependence upon God. As He lives His life in and through us, He
produces godliness and the assurance of His continual presence and help in
every situation you face.
The
fear of God is a fountain of life- “The fear of the Lord is like a life-giving fountain to turn
people from deadly snares.” (Proverbs
14:27, NET) When you reverence and exalt
God, you’ll understand that He’s in control of our lives, watching over us and
guiding our path. As God flows through us, He produces the attitudes He desires
us to have—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control (Galatians
5:22-23).
The
fear of God is healing to your body- “Don’t trust in your
own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. If you do this, it
will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” (Proverbs
3:7-8) As believers, our bodies are God’s
temple, and you should treat it as such. When you hold God in high esteem, you’ll
seek to please Him by doing what’s right and abstaining from the wrong. This
doesn’t mean that living a lifestyle of obedience to God guarantees you a long,
healthy life, but it will keep you from the ailments that result from indulging
in sinful practices.
The
fear of God keeps you from evil-“Faithful
love and loyalty will remove your guilt. Respect the Lord, and you will stay far away from evil.” (Proverbs
16:6) A deep reverence for God produces
a desire for righteousness and a hatred of sin. You’ll be quick to repent and
deal with any sin in our lives.
The
fear of God leads to life- “The fear of the Lord leads to life. One will sleep at night
without danger.” (Proverbs
19:23, HCSB) This verse isn’t speaking merely of your
physical life but also your spiritual life, too. Many people are looking for
happiness, peace, and joy but are continually turning away from God, the only
One, who can provide these things. The fear of the Lord brings every blessing
imaginable because you’re honoring, obeying, and surrendering to Him.
The
fear of God makes you wise- “Wisdom begins with fear and respect for the
Lord. Knowledge of the Holy One leads to
understanding.” (Proverbs
9:10) Wisdom doesn’t come from education
but from God. He’s the One who gives us insight regarding what to do, when to
act, how to respond, what to believe, and what to reject. The only source of
true wisdom is almighty God, and He’ll give it to us when you ask and are
willing to surrender your life to Him.
The
fear of God prolongs life- “Living in the worship and awe of God will bring you
many years of contented living. So how could the wicked ever expect to have a
long, happy life?” (Proverbs
10:27, TPT). People who have lived 40
years fearing and obeying God have lived more life than an 80-year-old without
Him. Furthermore, none of us can be saved and receive eternal life without
fearing God and surrendering our lives to Him.
The
fear of the God gives divine protection- “On every
side, the Lord’s
messenger protects those who honor God; and he delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7, CEB) You should never underestimate the mighty
power of God and His willingness to protect you. Psalm
91 speaks of His awesome protection
for those who live in His shelter.
“Men who fear God face life fearlessly. Men who do not fear God end
up fearing everything.” (Richard Halverson) [i]
[i] Inspired by the sermon “Facing Your Spiritual Fears:
Facing Your Fears” (installment four) Sunday May 3, 2020, Pastor Dave Jansen,
CenterPoint Church Gahanna (All CenterPoint churches are closed due to the
Coronavirus, and are meeting online.) Join us every Sunday morning at 10am at
the CenterPoint Church Main Page on Facebook.
Additional sources used:
·
“11 Reasons to Revere God” By Charles F.
Stanley
“The Fear of God Seven
Attributes” Mario Seiglie
· “What Does the Fear of the Lord Mean?” by Mike Bennett
Unless otherwise
indicated, all verses are taken from the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) of the Bible.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2020
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