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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

~ Proverbs 1:7

 

Good morning dear sister!

Did you ever notice how when an angel appears to a human in the Bible, their first words are often “Fear not!”?

Yet scriptures instruct us to fear the Lord! The use of the word fear can be confusing, and when we’re confused about something we read in the Bible it means there needs to be further study.

Why do the angels say to fear not? People are naturally wary when startled by an unexpected encounter, especially if it is perceived to be a threat. Think of the tiniest spider dropping in front of your face! Now think about being approached by some kind of otherworldly creature! I’d probably wet my pants at the very least! The radiance of God’s holiness shining on a messenger from heaven would certainly cause all sinful flesh to fall to the ground! 

On the other hand, what does it mean to fear the Lord? Although we very well may fall to the ground as if dead if we came face to face with the Living and Everlasting God (or wet our pants), the biblical meaning of fear regarding God is defined as a deep respect, reverence and awe for His majesty and power.

How do we develop a deep respect and reverence for someone we have never seen? He makes Himself known in His Word, in the testimony of His wonders and we dwell surrounded by His awesome creation!  Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Take a moment to look out your window at the sky. Contemplate the different hues, the shape and shifting of the clouds, the position of the sun. Or, if you’re reading this at night; the different shades of the night sky, the movement of the stars and the planets. Feel the wonder of the enormity of God’s creation! Not only created, but maintained even now by His own hand!  

We all love to be out in the sunshine on a beautiful day, but we also have a regard for the power of the sun and take care to protect our skin from burning. We may enjoy a walk in the twilight cool of the evening, but we must take care to not stumble in the dark so we carry flashlights. The respect we have for the power of the sun, or the dangers of the darkness have given us knowledge!

Whether day or night, no one on earth can escape the presence of the sky.

Whether believer or not, no one can escape the presence of God!

God is the ultimate good; the source of every fruit of the Spirit, full of mercy and grace, but He is dangerous.

Just as we must be careful of the power of the sun or mindful of avoiding the dangers of the dark, we must have a deep, abiding respect and reverence for His immense power, glory and majesty! This is the meaning of fearing the Lord! It is not a terrified fear, but a wondrous awe and respect.

When we humbly obey His commandments and acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives, we are respecting and fearing Him. Then we are prepared to be taught more and more how to walk in His ways. We will not be burned, we will not stumble! As time goes on, our confidence in Him will grow and our trust in Him will be unshakeable. He is, after all, our loving Abba!

There have been times in my life that I have played the fool and paid the price for despising God’s wisdom and instruction. Maybe you have too? Praise God that He’s made a way for us to start anew by the cleansing blood of Jesus! So, if you need to, why not repent right now and ask the Lord to wipe your sin clean? The fear of the Lord, not what others may think, is the beginning of knowledge!

I love you my sister…. I mean it! I want to love and worship God with you for all eternity!

Keep loving Jesus and moving forward!

With love, your sister, Celeste