Freedom from Fear: Embracing the Fear of the Lord as Christians

Let Fear Deliver You from Fear

Fear is a common human emotion. It is a feeling we experience when we perceive a threat or danger. Although fear is natural, it can be paralyzing and prevent us from living our lives to the fullest. Fear can take many forms, ranging from the fear of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of death, and the fear of the unknown. As Christians, we are not immune to fear. In fact, the Bible acknowledges that we will face trials and tribulations that will test our faith and cause us to fear (John 16:33).

However, the Bible also gives us a solution to our fear. It tells us to fear God. This may seem counterintuitive. After all, why would we want to fear someone who loves us? But the fear of God is not the same as the fear we experience in the face of danger. The fear of God is a reverential awe, a recognition of his power, majesty, and holiness. It is a healthy respect for the one who created us and sustains us.

Fearing God

The Bible tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). In other words, if we want to be wise, we must first learn to fear God. Fearing God means acknowledging his sovereignty over our lives and submitting to his will. It means recognizing that he is the one who holds our destiny in his hands and trusting him to guide us through life.

When we fear God, we are not afraid of him in the sense that we are afraid of danger. Instead, we are afraid of displeasing him, of going against his will. This fear keeps us on the right path and prevents us from straying into sin. It is a healthy fear that leads to obedience and ultimately to blessings.

Freed from Fear

Ironically, fearing God also frees us from other fears. When we fear God, we no longer fear the things of this world. We no longer fear rejection, failure, or death. We know that our destiny is secure in him and that nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8:38-39).

David understood this truth when he wrote in Psalm 34:4, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." David knew that the fear of the Lord was the only fear that mattered. When he feared God, he was free from the fear of his enemies, from the fear of death, and from the fear of the future. He was able to trust in God's goodness and faithfulness, even in the midst of trials and tribulations.

Loving God

The fear of God is not the end goal of our Christian journey. It is only the beginning. As we grow in our faith, we learn to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). Love is the ultimate expression of our relationship with God. When we love God, we are no longer afraid of him. Instead, we embrace him as our Father and our Friend. We delight in his presence and long to be close to him.

When we love God, we also love others. We no longer see them as threats or enemies. Instead, we see them as fellow children of God, worthy of our love and respect. We seek to serve them and to share God's love with them.

Conclusion

Fear is a natural part of life, but it does not have to control us. As Christians, we have a solution to our fear. We can fear God, knowing that he is the one who holds our destiny in his hands. When we fear God, we are freed from other fears. We are able to trust in his goodness and faithfulness, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. And as we grow in our faith, we learn to love God and others, becoming more like Christ every day.

So, let us embrace the fear of the Lord and allow it to deliver us from all our other fears. Let us trust in God's goodness and faithfulness, knowing that he is with us always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).