The Fear of God

There is a fear that IS good for us. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Some people have no fear of God. Romans 3:16-18 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Hebrews 12:28 …let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

WHY FEAR GOD? Consider His:
1. MIGHT – His Power and Authority. God is Mighty –All-powerful. We can entrust ourselves to Him. Luke 12:5 …Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Isaiah 66:2 …but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. When we humble ourselves before our mighty God we find His strength.

We fear God because of His…
2. MAJESTY. There’s a sense of awe when we meet a VIP. How much more so ought we to fear this great king? Psalm 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. “Kiss” here signifies worship. He has the right to rule over us. Our High and Holy King calls for our allegiance.

We fear God because of His…
3. MERCY. Luke 1:50 His mercy is on those that fear Him. Hebrews 10:30-31 ...The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Men should fear the wrath to come. Thankfully, we who are saved know God not just as Powerful, as King, and as the Coming Judge, but also as our Father. He is merciful in His Judgment. We have the privilege of a Father-son relationship.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ… As God’s children we will want to please our Heavenly father. Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.

The Fear of God leads us to...
1. WISDOM. It’s the very starting point for wisdom in life. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

True wisdom and knowledge springs from knowing Him. Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

This fear of God leads us to:
2. WORK. We want to serve our master. Deut 10:12 …what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served… and serve ye the LORD. The Lord calls us to a whole hearted faith and service.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Also the Fear of God leads us to:
3. WORSHIP. To fear God means to worship Him, to revere and honour Him. Psalm 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

The fear of the Lord motivates God’s people to turn from sin, and to live right. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

At the cross of Calvary, we see the holiness of God and His hatred of sin. We see His terrifying judgment upon sin – and His great grace and salvation.

Here also we find:
4. WONDERFUL BLESSINGS. The fear of the Lord is healthy and wholesome. It brings blessing and security. While it is our duty to fear God, it is also our delight. Our Lord promises to bless: Psalms 115:13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.

Psalm 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Acts 9:31 …the churches …were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Psalm 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

God delights in our fear of Him. Psalm 115:11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. He will be a help and a shield for you - a refuge for you. Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Ask the Lord for that holy fear of Him in your heart.