SCARED TO DEATH?

FEAR is not one of my favorite things.  I do not understand why anyone would want to be scared to death at a movie or any other event.  Unfortunately fear is one of those things that does motivate us.  We all live with in on various levels everyday.  I do not climb a ladder to clean out the gutters on my roof without a certain amount of fear.  All of us have experienced the fear of being rejected, or the fear of not being able to do something.  Some people are full of fear when it comes to seeing their Dentist or having surgery.  The word FEAR gets thrown around a lot and most of the time it means terror, dread, or panic.  So when we read verses about the FEAR of the Lord it can cause us to wonder what it means in our walk with God.  Part of the difficulty comes from not having a good English equivalent for the Hebrew word.  So please read the following verses with this explanation of the Hebrew word FEAR: “The meaning of the word FEAR includes Worshipful Submission, Reverential Awe, and Obedient Respect towards God.”  HCS

Proverbs 9:10 (NLT) Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

Psalm 111:10 (HCS) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.

Psalm 112:1 (NLT) Praise the LORD. How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands.

To be scared to death of God’s judgment is appropriate.  To stand before a holy God and be judged for our sin should scare us.  But once I am saved, forgiven at the Cross of Jesus, I am welcomed into God’s family.  I no longer have to FEAR God’s wrath and judgment.  These verses are much more than being scared of God. The word FEAR in these verses is about how I come to God.  It is about coming to God in Worship, Reverence and Respect. That kind of a heart attitude towards God is essential if we want to grow in our walk with the LORD. 

Wiersbe says it this way:  “If we want to understand God's works and God's Word, we must maintain this reverential fear of the Lord, for this attitude is the basis for receiving spiritual wisdom and understanding.”  

Another writer puts it this way: “The sobering awe of God is the beginning of wisdom; that is, the starting point and first principle of wisdom. Fearing God leads to wisdom, good understanding, obedience, and praise.” Holman OTC

IF we truly FEAR the Lord God in this way the end result will be a growing DELIGHT in Obeying God’s WORD.  May we learn to “FEAR” God more and more.

PRAYER: Lord God, help me to come to You always in Worshipful Submission. Help me to Reverence You and to be in AWE of who You are and what You do.  And may I joyfully and Obediently Follow and Serve You today.