The fear of the Lord is having a deep respect, reverence and awe for his power and authority. It is to delight in him and not wanting to displease him. Is to hate evil; pride , arrogance and the evil way , and the froward mouth. Pro8:13. It is to love God, to respect,to please and to obey him in all ways and to have awe for his power, holiness and majesty.
“Fear”in this context is not meant as terror, not meant as to be afraid but rather a profound respect and understanding of God’s power and authority. God desires that we relate to him as his children -in - Christ to be close to him, to engage with him in discussion. Indeed He is our Father, Guard and Guide and our friend.
To fear him is It to desire to live in harmony with his righteous standards and to honour him in all that one does. It is the beginning of wisdom.Ps 111:10a. The fear of the Lord can also be expressed by obeying his commands, honoring his name and word, hating evil, loving righteousness, walking in holiness and humility , and shunning pride,and arrogance.
Fearing the Lord does not mean living in a state of constant anxiety or dread of God. But his holiness and power cause us to humbly revere him.
What does the Bible say about the fear of the Lord?
Ps 111:10a-“ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.”
Pro 1:7-“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Pro9:10-“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Pro15:33-“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; And before honour is humility.”
Brethren, The fear of the LORD is repeated in the scriptures, it means emphasis is laid on it and importance is attached to it and it has much to do with knowledge, understanding and wisdom which the Bible describes as the principal thing that we need to get. If wisdom is supreme and should be actively obtained and the fear of the LORD is the beginning of it, it means we have to have the fear of the LORD.
What are the benefits of having the fear of the LORD?
The benefits are many but this sermon will enumerate a few of them.
“The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”Ps25:14.
“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”Ps34:7
“Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.”Ps34:9.
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”Ps103:13.
“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children.”Ps103:17.
“He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.”Ps111:5.
“The LORD delights in those that fear him , who put their hope in his unfailing love.”Ps 147:11.
“Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”Pro14:26.
“The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”Pro19:23
“And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.”Lk1:50.
Brethren,the benefits for those who fear the LORD are unquantifiable. And the scriptures even admonish us to fear the LORD and to not be wise in our own eyes. Pro 3:7.And doing this will bring health to our bodies and nourishment to our bones. That the whole duty of man is to fear God , and keep his commandments.Ecc 12:13. May the LORD help us to do so.
It is also nice to be aware that there are consequences for not having the fear of the LORD.
Such a person has tendency to depend on his or her own wisdom, has tendency to sin and decline morally. Will lack spiritual guidance and most likely prioritize worldly wisdom over godly principles and thereby lose God’s wisdom and blessings. May this not be our portion in Jesus’ name.
I am sure everyone prays to eat the fruit of his or her labour, be blessed and be prosperous, and be fruitful. To manifest these, one has to fear the LORD, and walk in obedience to him. Ps128:1-4.
And to fear God is a life time affair, and it is “ the whole duty of man .“ To do this, one needs to be continuously meditating and reflecting on God’s word, worshiping and praising him regularly with a sense of awe and trusting him with total obedience.
You are therefore admonished to continue honouring, revering and worshipping God with awe until your last breath.
Prayer.
The scriptures tell us the whole duty of man is to fear God and having the fear of the LORD brings us wisdom, blessings, prosperity and fruitfulness.
Father, I humbly ask that you grant me the grace to fear you with reverence, honour, humility and awe throughout my life time , that I may walk in obedience, worship you with sincerity and bring glory to your holy name. So that your divine wisdom, blessings, and all- round prosperity will be mine.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
