Timeless Truths ................................................................Pages

In the February 2021 edition of His Grace Magazine, I wrote about my fears as a young child, namely, of dying, and how those fears were overcome once I understood the Bible and how I needn't be afraid because I believe in the power of the cross and the resurrection. However, the Bible talks about, over and over again, how we should fear God, how fearing the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, how God's mercy is on those who fear Him and how it is the fountain of life.

Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Job 28:28 says, "And He said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"

Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us, "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

Proverbs 14:27 says, "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the

Why should we fear God?

snares of death."

Deuteronomy 10:12 says, "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but "The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life."

Psalm 145:19 says,

to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

Luke 1:50 says, "And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation."

Proverbs 19:23 tells us, "The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied, He will not be visited by harm."

Psalm 25:14 reads, "The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant."

Psalm 34:9 declares, "Oh fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no lack!"

Proverbs 22:4 tells us, "He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them."

Proverbs 10:27 tells us, "The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short."

We can clearly see in the previous passages that we are commanded to fear God and with that comes many blessings. What exactly does it mean to 'fear the Lord,' when scripture such as Matthew 10:28 says, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell"?

There is a fear that produces negative results, a paralyzing fear that stresses us to the core. Obviously, this is not the type of fear the Bible is referring to. The context of the main Hebrew and Greek words translated 'fear' in the Bible refers to a positive respect, or reverence of His power and righteousness.

The scriptures explain that proper fear of God leads to full, complete lives and bright futures. Repeatedly throughout the Bible, we are commanded to fear God. Why? Because we learn through studying scripture that a healthy fear of God includes the fear of the consequences of disobedience. When the fear of God is lost by man or a nation, they are on their way to destruction. There is an inevitable consequence for doing wrong, and there is no way to escape. Even an atheist, who does not believe in God at all, has to admit that when he sees the laws of nature, he knows that you either obey the laws of nature and live, or disobey them and die. We learn to respect the laws of electricity. We cannot make up laws as we go along. We had better find out what they are first, for once we disobey them, it's already

too late. The same goes for God's laws. God requires of every nation that there be the recognition of His sovereign government of men and the laws of retribution for evil. For God always accomplishes what He says He is going to do.

In order to fully understand what it means to fear God, we must realize several of His characteristics. First of all, we must recognize that God is loving, merciful and forgiving, but He is also holy, just and righteous. Knowing God means accepting the fact that His justice and holiness causes Him to judge sin.

Hebrews 10:26-27 tell us, "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries."

Sin angers God and He has the power to

Why should we fear God?

punish those who stand against Him and break His laws. When Adam and Eve first sinned in the Garden of Eden, they became afraid and tried to hide from God. Hebrews 10:31 tell us, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Reverence of God helps us to take Him and His beneficial laws seriously. Living in harmony with God's laws has great benefits to be experienced in the life to come, as well as in this life. Once we learn those rules, we continue to follow them out of love for our Savior, knowing the price He paid for our redemption. By fearing God, we can avoid being trapped by the natural pull toward doing our own thing, defying God and giving in to the inviting ways of immoral behavior.

Most of all, the fact that the Lord is a God of justice who will judge the entire human race should be reason enough to produce a godly fear. It is a sobering and absolute truth that God is constantly aware of our every action and motive, and that we will be held accountable for those actions on the day of reckoning. We need to respect and acknowledge His presence in our lives and know that it is His hand that sends circumstances into our lives. The knowledge of God's power, wisdom and love and His willingness to accept us, change us, forgive us, restore us and to stand by us are all part of fearing God. To fear God is to live righteously, not to be self-righteous.

Fearing the Lord will help us to obey His commands and live according to His Word and say 'no' to sin. Living this way in obedience to God will sanctify us. It compels us to hate sin and avoid evil. It cause us to be careful in what we say and do. It protects us from weakening towards what is true and right. The fear of the Lord has a spiritually cleansing, purifying and restoring effect on us. When we truly fear God, it motivates us to worship the Lord with our whole being. Revelation 14:6-7 tells us of an angel flying in the midst of heaven, "saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."

Scripture makes it clear that God has promised to reward all those who fear Him with honor and life, security and protection from death, provisions for everyday needs and a long life. Fearing God will bring a deep sense of spiritual security and the anointing of empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The continual blessings we receive from God, especially the forgiveness of our sin should lead us to fear and love the Lord. Psalm 130:4 says, "But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared."

"... that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)

WOOD Ministries