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The
Fear Of The Lord
The fear of
the Lord is that understanding of God's greatness and power and man's accountability
toward Him. A scriptural and saving knowledge of God is the greatest need of
every person. An unknown God can neither be trusted, served,
nor worshipped. Belief in God is the foundation principle of the
Christian faith. The writer of the book of Hebrews said, "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. In Proverbs 1:7 the Bible says, "The fear
of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and
instruction." The fear of the Lord is that reverence we feel as we live
daily in the presence of God. The fear of the Lord is the root of right living
and wise conduct. The fear of the Lord influences our every action and thought.
The
fear of the Lord is a choice to be made. Solomon wrote of those who did
not choose the fear of the Lord. "Then they will call on me, but I will
not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because
they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord." (Proverbs 1:28-29) God welcomes sinners with open arms. However,
many sinners have stopped their ears and hardened their hearts to God's word.
God's plea falls upon deaf ears. The fear of God will cause you to choose good instead of evil.
The
fear of the Lord leads to finding the knowledge of God. "He who
sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He
shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep
displeasure." (Proverbs 2:4-5) The fear of the Lord awakens feelings of
gratitude and love. The fear of the Lord leads us to the Bible so that we might
gain the knowledge of God.
The
fear of the Lord causes us to depart from evil. God commanded, "Do
not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil."
(Proverbs 3:7) He also said, "In mercy and truth atonement is provided for
iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil." (Proverbs
16:6) No one who knows himself should be conceited. There is no experience more
humbling than to come face to face with our own sins. One who thinks he knows
everything will never come to fear God. Watch and pray constantly against the
spirit of self-conceit.
The
fear of the Lord causes us to hate sin. "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate."
(Proverbs 8:13) Those who fear the Lord fear the punishment sin brings. This
fear causes us to hate sin. God hates sin because of His very nature. To
require us to hate sin is no more than God expects of Himself.
The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. "The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10) The same principle
is also taught in Proverbs 15:33. "The fear of the Lord is the instruction
of wisdom, and before honor is humility." The fear of the Lord will cause
us to know and carefully follow the will of God. The fear of the Lord is at the
root of true wisdom. The wise will understand the will of the Lord. Paul wrote,
"Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord
is." (Ephesians 5:17)
The
fear of the Lord leads to long life. "The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but
the years of the wicked will be shortened." (Proverbs 10:27) Long life is
promised to those who fear God. If you could take the average of life you would
find it to be in the favor of the godly. The fear of the Lord leads to good
habits that promote health.
The
fear of the Lord provides a refuge for God’s people. "In the fear
of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of
refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the
snares of death." (Proverbs 14:26-27) Godly fear leads to godly
consequences. Those who fear God have a place of refuge in trouble. Jesus is
our refuge. He is always willing to hear and to answer.
The
fear of the Lord makes a little be enough. "Better is a little
with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble." (Proverbs
15:16) A person may have great treasures; but if he doesn't have God he has
troubles. Those who have God have what matters. Truly, "better is little
with the fear of the Lord."
The
fear of the Lord produces a satisfied life. "The fear of the Lord
leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be
visited with evil." (Proverbs 19:23) A Godly life is a happy and satisfied
life, here and hereafter. The fear of the Lord produces a true life. True
life, genuine satisfaction and freedom from sin are all blessings of the fear
of the Lord.
The
fear of the Lord will cause us not to envy sinners. "Do not let
your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the
day." (Proverbs 23:17) Sinners are not to be envied. They are to be pitied.
What they have is all they will have, except misery. David wrote,
"...Deliver...with Your hand from men, O Lord, from men of the world who
have their portion in this life, and whose belly You fill with Your hidden
treasure. They are satisfied with children, and leave the rest of their possession
for their babes." (Psalm 17:13-14) The sinners have their portion in this
life. They have nothing to look forward to in the world to come. The
consideration of the end of life will help us reconcile ourselves to all
difficulties and discouragements of this life.
The
fear of the Lord produces respectful citizens. "My son, fear the
Lord and the king; do not associate with those given to change." (Proverbs
24:21) Those who are religious must be loyal to God and good citizens in the
land. If government ever comes in conflict with God, "we must obey God
rather than men." Have nothing to do with those given to change just for
the sake of change. Many want change because of discontent with what is, a
desire for novelty and because they enjoy confusion. There will always be
disturbers of the peace in government and in the church. Have nothing to do
with them.
The fear of
the Lord will cause you to obey the gospel quickly. To become a Christian you
must hear the gospel and believe (John
By Charles Box,