Fear the Lord
Psalm 128:1: "Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!"
What does it mean to fear God? The Bible uses the word "fear" at least 300 times in reference to God. In Proverbs 9:10, we read these words: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." All throughout the Old Testament, there are stories of those who feared the Lord and were blessed because of it. What is fear of the Lord and what does it look like for us today?
Since March, God has given us the time and space to take an honest look at our lives. There is not only a pandemic of Covid-19, there is also a pandemic of fear. There is a difference between healthy fear and paralyzing fear. Covid-19 is a deadly virus and has completed disrupted our way of life. It requires us to be mindful, careful, and thoughtful. The question that begs to be asked is how the Lord wants us to respond throughout this pandemic.
Fear of the Lord can cure us of fear of this world. Fear of the Lord is a recognition that God is holy, above us, beyond us, all powerful, all knowing, and completely in control. Fear of the Lord leads us to submit to his Lordship, to obey his commands, to let go of the focus on this world and instead to focus on what is eternal.
Fear of the Lord leads to life, to a blessed life here on earth and to eternal life with him. Why did those who feared the Lord in the Old Testament receive blessings? It was because they chose to do what the Lord commanded them to do. God has left us with clear instructions on how to live faithfully in this world. He has given us the gift of his Holy Spirit so that we have the power to live out those instructions. He has given us everything for life and godliness.
The question becomes: Do we fear the world, the things of the world, and the people in the world, or will we fear God?
Lord, teach us to fear you so that we may gain hearts of wisdom and live faithfully in this world trusting in your blessings for this world and the world to come.
What does it mean to fear God? The Bible uses the word "fear" at least 300 times in reference to God. In Proverbs 9:10, we read these words: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." All throughout the Old Testament, there are stories of those who feared the Lord and were blessed because of it. What is fear of the Lord and what does it look like for us today?
Since March, God has given us the time and space to take an honest look at our lives. There is not only a pandemic of Covid-19, there is also a pandemic of fear. There is a difference between healthy fear and paralyzing fear. Covid-19 is a deadly virus and has completed disrupted our way of life. It requires us to be mindful, careful, and thoughtful. The question that begs to be asked is how the Lord wants us to respond throughout this pandemic.
Fear of the Lord can cure us of fear of this world. Fear of the Lord is a recognition that God is holy, above us, beyond us, all powerful, all knowing, and completely in control. Fear of the Lord leads us to submit to his Lordship, to obey his commands, to let go of the focus on this world and instead to focus on what is eternal.
Fear of the Lord leads to life, to a blessed life here on earth and to eternal life with him. Why did those who feared the Lord in the Old Testament receive blessings? It was because they chose to do what the Lord commanded them to do. God has left us with clear instructions on how to live faithfully in this world. He has given us the gift of his Holy Spirit so that we have the power to live out those instructions. He has given us everything for life and godliness.
The question becomes: Do we fear the world, the things of the world, and the people in the world, or will we fear God?
Lord, teach us to fear you so that we may gain hearts of wisdom and live faithfully in this world trusting in your blessings for this world and the world to come.
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