Fear of the Lord
By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.
Proverbs 22:4
Fear of the Lord is a very important topic because it appears in the Bible many times. Fear of the Lord can be defined as two types of fear; one type of fear works for us, while the other type of fear works against us.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:28-29). Our God is described as a consuming fire and none should go near him without reverence and awe. God is love (1 John 4:8), and those who have received Christ as their Savior will experience God’s perfect love. Our fear of God gives us a humble, serving heart and an awesome respect that draws us closer to him. His loving power is a blessing to us that draws us to him. At the same time this power commands us to respect him, worship him, and to come to him with a humble and loving heart. This is the fear that motivates us to never turn away or sin against God.
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed (Romans 2:5). Those who don’t accept Christ are storing up the wrath of God, therefore they should fear God. This is fear of God’s judgment against them and it is the fear of eternal punishment. This type of fear that is experienced by those who realize they are separated from God should be an incentive to seek the Lord and to accept Christ. God will gladly accept anyone who comes to his Son seeking salvation, because God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:9). Jesus revealed the heart of God, and if someone accepts Jesus, the Father is pleased to accept that person. We can relate to Jesus in this earthly life and also in our heavenly lives. We will be raised from the dead just like Jesus, in human form with an eternal body. It is the Father’s pleasure to bless us with his infinite power, wisdom, and love, because we have accepted his Son who sacrificed his life on the cross for us.
Today when you pray to God, come to him with a humble and thankful heart, because through Christ’s sacrifice we have the awesome privilege to speak to the creator of the universe. Remember you are in God’s divine family, He loves you perfectly, and He has an eternal home waiting for you. Walk today as his servant, telling the world they can have forgiveness through Christ and receive God’s love and blessings.
Let’s Pray: Thank you Lord that I can come to the Father with a reverent fear that draws me closer. Keep me from sin because it hurts God when his children sin. It’s an awesome privilege to come to you in prayer, knowing that you hear my words, and that you know me better than I know myself. In Jesus name, Amen.