The Fear of God

[The Simple Plan]

It is written, come and hear, all ye that FEAR God. Psalm 66:16.

Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with this hand said, Men of Israel and ye that FEAR God, give audience.... men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosever among you FEARETH God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
Acts 13:16, 26

The FEAR of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalm 111:10 (Prov 1:7, 9:10, 15:33)

As my old pastor used to say " We gonna have church now!"

When you read the Bible as a whole, there is an underlying theme by the authors and loyal followers of god to fear him. Not in the scared sense, but in awe. wonder, respect of his presence. Sometimes I wonder if I forget this reverence and awe that the patriarchs, apostles, judges and prophets of the past had. You see Lot, Abraham, Moses, Daniel, John, et al falling prostrate, humbling themselves on their faces and feet when they realise they are in the presence of God.

John even lends to the allegory of the four beasts/creatures in Revelation who do nothing but recognise the majesty of God day and night bowing before God and saying "Holy, Holy, Holy".

So what has happened? Why do we need to tell people that when we collectively come to worship the most high they need to refrain chewing gum in church, or that they should switch of their mobiles before entering service? Shouldn't the indwelling nature of Christ within us spark in our mind that we are in his presence?

Sometimes we confuse fear, reverence and awe with silence. Sometimes we must make a joyful noise, but never bedlam. Paul addressed this to the church in Corinth by stating (I paraphrase) "Let their be order..God is not the author of confusion"

As I say to the youth who come asking about whether their music is appropriate for worship in the sanctuary. This music you have is a gift you are returning to the almighty God through praise. Are you in awe of his majesty when you sing or play? Are you as worship leaders pointing people to you or the Almighty God? Does his presence make you want to take off your shoes or fall prostrate to the ground because of the glory of God? Does your offering make you think "Holy, Holy, Holy"?

How in your personal or corporate worship do you feel about the FEAR of God? Of feeling that sense of reverence as you worship before him?

Blessings
Dave  


p.s. I used the KJV here to emphasise my point, but use any Bible to share your understanding or clarity on this issue. 

 

[The Simple Plan]

Accepting Christ in your life and having that deep sense of reverence as a result not as a means to end, brings blessings and promises. Just some thoughts for you.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children. Psalm 103:17

He will bless those who fear the LORD, The small together with the great. Psalm 115:13

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,that his glory may dwell in our land. Psalm 85:9

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 1 Peter 3:15

.....

Dave

p.s. I had one of the best worship experiences of my life today. Does it show???

 

[GraftMeIn]

When you love someone, your greatest fear is most likely going to be that you will do something to let them down. You work hard to please them however you can.

Now if we love God with all our heart, and all our soul, our greatest fear will be that will let Him down in some way. Our fear will be in not pleasing Him, more than it will be of Him in a sense.

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by GraftMeIn
When you love someone, your greatest fear is most likely going to be that you will do something to let them down. You work hard to please them however you can.

Now if we love God with all our heart, and all our soul, our greatest fear will be that will let Him down in some way. Our fear will be in not pleasing Him, more than it will be of Him in a sense.

You didn't say Budweiser, but you sure did say it all. WELL SAID, WELL SAID!!!

 

[The Simple Plan]

Fear of God in the SACRED sense also gives us a sense of security in him. How many times do we read in the Bible were people are instructed to FEAR NOT in the SCARED sense?

Paul instructs Timothy that "God has not given us the spirit of FEAR but of POWERand of LOVEand of aSOUND MIND".


Amazing how the placement of God in our hearts can make the difference between SACRED and SCARED!!!


Dave

 

[Prettynink]

I have been told that the word fear in the bible means respect?

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by Prettynink
I have been told that the word fear in the bible means respect?

Yes respect or reverence, depending on how and where it is used, and it also has that as one meaning in the English language as well. That is why even those of us with little or no training in the Greek or Herew language can benefit from the use of Strong's exhaustive concordance with the Greek and Hebrew dictionary.

Also another reason I love the e-sword with the KJV that includes Strong's numbers. There all we have to do is point and click as we read and we have instant access to the meaning of the words in the original languages.

 

[BigEd]

I have been thinking much on the Fear of the LORD these days.

There is a sense that it is more then just respect and reverence. It is also a very real fear for those that do not except Christ. For those who do not except Christ's gift of grace, they face judgement and God's wrath.

I think detrick bonhoeffer put it in thought provoking way " he who fears God, does not fear man."

That idea has haunted me for quite sometime.

in a material sense it comes down to this:

Do I fear the wrath of God that is coming for all who do not except Christ as savior, or Do i fear man and his approval , and do not spread the gospel.

I admit i do strugle with this at times.

 

[BigEd]

some more thoughts about the fear of the LORD.

God is Holy and Immutable.
These aspects in many way are frightening.
He is pure, we are not
He is Unchanging , we are very changable.

Ex. 33:18-20 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no-one may see me and live.”

Praise be the LORD,
he is also merciful, and gave his only Son, Christ.
So we now can be in the precense of the Holy and the Immutable,
because we are made righteous and holy, by the blood of Christ.

 

[Gerry]

The reason there is little wisdom found in the Churches these days is because there is no fear of the Lord! And there is no fear because Christians do not STUDY His Word.

If they did they would learn how to act in Church and there would be no need to tell anyone not to chew gum or to stop whispering and talking, or to take a nap at home BEFORE they get to Church. They would not fall asleep in Church because they would be focused on what was going on.

People who do these things are wasting thier time in being there for they are there for all the wrong reasons. To be seen by others, to see others, to be with thier friends, to "hang out", or because it is tradition. It is just where you go on Sunday Mornings, or because they are doing God a favor.

All of those things you would expect of non-Christians. After all they naturally have nor reverence for or fear of God. But Christians? Those who have actually met Jesus and know Him as Saviour? Shame!

That is why, we have 30 year Christians who are BABES and have never grown to maturity. Too many think they are saved and that is all that is necessary and they will make it to Heaven and nothing else matters. WRONG.

We need to realize there are consequences for our sins, both of commission and ommission. There is a price to pay for a lack of reverence and obedience to the plain Word of God.