‘Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord . Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.’ Psalms 34:11-14(NLT)
‘Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.’ Proverbs 3:7-8(NLT)
‘Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.’ Proverbs 9:10(NLT)
‘Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children. Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.’ Proverbs 14:26-27(NLT)
‘Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.’ Proverbs 15:33(NLT)
‘Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.’ Proverbs 31:30(NLT)
When God tells us to not fear, He is asking us to trust Him when our circumstances are uncertain. God also instructs us, as His children to fear Him. This is not a passive response of cowardice. Instead, it is an active execution of worship.
The way in which the Israelites worshipped God at the temple on the Day of the Atonement represented this sense of utter respect of the Almighty. At Jesus’ death, the curtain of the Holiest of Holies was torn, and all were given access to God. However, the command to fear remained. The fear of God is meant to drive us to know and love Him more as we seek to live a life that is obedient to His commandments.
God instructs us to fear Him, not so we will be estranged from Him, but so we can have a better understanding of who He is. When we fear the Lord for who He is and what He has done, we grow in our understanding of His holiness. Instead of cowering, we grow in faith because we place our trust fully and completely in Him.
Father God, thank You for being my Almighty God in whom I can place my trust. I praise You for Your holiness. Thank You for the access I have to You through Your Son. Father, help me grow my trust in You as I consider Your holiness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
from Love God Greatly: Fear & Anxiety