THE FEAR OF GOD
The complication of knowing to fear God is not a complication with one with an understanding of God in His word.
It is wise to fear God which no man can hide from His sight.
Psalm 33:13-15 buttressed, “The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling, He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.”
Is your works in the fear of God?
God looks from above, to see those who fear Him or those who do not fear Him. It is true that one with no fear of God cannot see Him in His word to observe God with obedience.
Psalmist buttressed: “The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one.” (Psalm 14:2-3) One with the fear of God walks away from corruption which is not hidden from god. To fear God is in studying Him to understand and know His word which the conclusion is of all that matters in living life.
With the fear of God, there is understanding, and two things cannot be denied in the life of one with understanding:
Firstly, “…But knowledge is easy to him who understands.” (Proverbs 14:6) One with the understanding of God will always have a knowing edge over challenges and a peace that surpasses all understanding becomes of one.
Secondly, “Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding…” (Proverbs 14:33) Wisdom is the instruction of God. 1Corinthians 1:30 states, “But of Him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God…” The wisdom of God in the heart of man is Jesus in the life of man to fear God. With fear of God, meditate the word of God day and night to remain in God’s presence.
King David a man identified by God as one after God’s own heart volunteered to teach the fear of the Lord when he stated, “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” (Psalm 34:11) David knew what he was up to when he made his statement to the ones who have an ear to hear. The fear of God kept David through life’s terminating challenges because of his fear of God.
DO YOU FEAR GOD?
Psalm 34:13-14 identifies four points in one who fears God:
- Keep your tongue from evil,
- Keep your lips from speaking deceit,
- Depart from evil and do good,
- Seek peace and pursue it.
In this wicked world, one should meditate what it means to fear God; to gain understanding to know and have the fear of God. The Bible pages pointed out what it means to fear God:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7)
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. (Proverbs 8:13)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10)
The fear of the Lord prolongs days. (Proverbs 10:27)
He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. (Proverbs 14:2)
In the fear of the Lord, there is strong confidence. (Proverbs 14:26)
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:27)
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom. (Proverbs 15:33)
By the fear of the Lord, one departs from evil. (Proverbs 16:6)
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. (Proverbs 19:23)
By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
The fear of the Lord is His treasure. (Isaiah 33:6)
Psalm 2:11, Serve the Lord with fear.
In the journey of life, Abraham served God because he feared God. Hebrews 11:8 testified, “By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
To be living life year after years without the fear of God is not God’s will for all His creation. Just like Abraham, fear God to be obeying His word for remaining in His presence.