We should fear God because of His matchless power as the Creator and sustainer of all things and all people. When we truly realize God's holiness, the normal response is to fear Him. Anyone who sees or experiences a manifestation of God's glory cannot help but become awed and afraid. The continual blessings we receive from God, especially for forgiveness of our sins, should lead us to fear and to love Him. It is a sobering and absolute truth that God is constantly aware of our actions and motives and that we will be accountable for those actions and motives.
How will Fearing God Affect our Lives?
The fear of the Lord is far more than a Biblical teaching. It is relevant to our daily lives in many ways. If we truly fear the Lord, we will obey His commands, live according to His Word and say "No" to sin.
The fear of the Lord has a sanctifying effect on God's people. It compels us to hate sin and avoid evil. The fear of the Lord has a spiritually cleansing, purifying and restoring effect that can last forever.
The holy and reverent fear of the Lord motivates God's people to worship Him with their whole being. People who fear the Lord will praise and honor Him as Lord of all. Worship Him who made the heavens, and earth, the sea and the springs of water" (Rev. 14:6-7).
God has promised to reward all those who fear Him. Humility and the "fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life" (Proverbs 22:4).
The broad command to "fear the Lord" involves understanding several things about a believers' relationship with God. First of all, we must recognize that God is loving, merciful and forgiving; but He also is holy, just and righteous. Knowing God and understanding His character means accepting the fact that His justice and holiness cause Him to judge sin.
Fearing the Lord means to be in awe of His holiness, to give Him complete reverence and to honor Him as the God of great glory, majesty, purity and power. "Let all the earth fear the Lord;" let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm" (Psalm 33:8-9).
True fear of the Lord causes believers to place their faith and trust in Him alone for salvation. The psalm writer encourages all who fear the Lord to "trust in the Lord - He is their help and shield" (Psalm 115:11). In other words, fearing God produces confidence, hope and trust in Him, which are necessary when we are looking to God for mercy, forgiveness and spiritual salvation. To fear God involves recognizing that He is angry about sin and has the power to punish those who stand arrogantly against Him and break His laws.
Promised rewards to "fear the Lord" include security and protection, provisions for daily needs, and a long life. Those who live in reverent awe of God know that "it will go better with God-fearing men" regardless of what happens in the world around them (Ecc. 8:12-13).
Finally, fearing God brings a humble confidence and overwhelming spiritual comfort. The New Testament directly links the fear of the Lord with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31). Those who fear God and obey His Word will experience a deep sense of spiritual security and anointing of the Holy Spirit to confirm and lead their confidence and security.
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