The Fear of the Lord: Drawing Closer to God Through Reverence

There are two kinds of fear: one that drives us away from God, and one that draws us closer to Him. In Exodus 20:20, Moses addresses the people and says, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin." Here, Moses is warning against the slavish fear that pushes us away from God and calling us to embrace the sweet fear that draws us to Him.

To illustrate this kind of fear, let me share a personal story. One day, my son Karsten and I were visiting a family from our church. They had a German shepherd, a huge dog that stood eye to eye with a seven-year-old. Now, Karsten is a friendly and outgoing kid, so he had no problem making friends with the dog. But one day, when Karsten was sent back to the car to get something we had forgotten, he started to run. And that's when the dog chased after him with a low growl. Naturally, Karsten was frightened. But the owner quickly intervened and said, "Karsten, why don't you just walk? The dog doesn't like it when people run away from him."

You see, if Karsten approached the dog calmly and hugged him, the dog would be friendly and even lick his face. But if he ran away, the dog would growl and fill Karsten with fear. This is a perfect picture of what it means to fear the Lord. God wants His power and holiness to kindle fear in us, not to drive us away, but to drive us closer to Him. Fearing God means fearing to abandon Him as our ultimate security and satisfaction.

In other words, we should fear unbelief. We should fear not trusting in God's goodness. This is the essence of Romans 11:20, which says, "You stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear." Here, the fear we should have is the fear of not believing, of lacking faith. We should fear running away from God. But if we walk with Him and embrace His love, He will be our friend and protector forever.

Now, let's dive deeper into the biblical references that support this understanding of fear. In Proverbs 9:10, we read, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." This verse emphasizes the importance of fearing the Lord as the foundation of true wisdom and understanding. When we fear God, we gain insight into His character and His ways. It is through this fear that we come to know Him more intimately and grow in our relationship with Him.

Similarly, Psalm 111:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" Here, we see that those who fear the Lord not only gain wisdom but also have a good understanding of who He is. This understanding leads to a life of praise and worship, as we recognize the greatness and goodness of our God.

In Isaiah 33:6, we find another powerful verse about the fear of the Lord: "And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure." This verse reminds us that the fear of the Lord brings stability, salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. It is a treasure that we must cherish and cultivate in our lives. When we fear the Lord, we find security and abundance in Him.

Now, let's address some common misconceptions about the fear of the Lord. Some might think that fearing God means being terrified of Him, constantly living in fear and anxiety. But that's not the kind of fear that God desires from us. In 1 John 4:18, we are told, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." Here, we see that perfect love casts out fear. When we truly understand and embrace God's love for us, our fear is replaced with trust and confidence in Him.

Furthermore, fearing God does not mean being afraid to approach Him or being distant from Him. On the contrary, it means recognizing His greatness and holiness and approaching Him with reverence and awe. In Hebrews 4:16, we are encouraged to "draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." This verse reminds us that we can approach God's throne with confidence because of His grace and mercy. When we fear the Lord, we can boldly come before Him, knowing that He welcomes us with open arms.

So how can we cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord in our lives? First and foremost, we need to spend time in His Word. The Bible is God's revelation of Himself to us, and as we study His Word, we come to know Him more fully and intimately. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." When we meditate on God's Word, it illuminates our path and helps us understand His character and His ways.

Secondly, we need to pray and seek God's presence daily. Prayer is our direct line of communication with Him, and through prayer, we can express our fears, worries, and doubts to Him. In Philippians 4:6-7, we are encouraged, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." When we bring our fears to God in prayer, He gives us His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lastly, we need to surround ourselves with a community of believers who can encourage and support us in our journey of fearing the Lord. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." When we gather with fellow believers, we can spur one another on towards love and good works, reminding each other of the importance of fearing the Lord.

In conclusion, the fear of the Lord is not a slavish fear that drives us away from God, but a sweet fear that draws us closer to Him. When we fear the Lord, we recognize His greatness, holiness, and love for us. This fear leads us to trust Him, walk with Him, and find security and abundance in Him. Let us cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord in our lives by studying His Word, praying, and surrounding ourselves with a community of believers. May the fear of the Lord be ever before us, guiding us in righteousness and drawing us closer to our loving Father.