Are there things you are afraid of? Do you fear being alone in the dark? Do you fear wild animals? Is there someone you know whom you fear? Do you understand your fear? Do you know there is someone else you should fear?
We all have fears. For some it is darkness and the sounds we hear, imagined or not. For others it is the fear of an animal. Still others fear the bully, whether on the playground or in the office. Yet we all should have a healthy fear of the Lord.
What is a healthy fear of the Lord? Opposed to the other fears listed above, it does not only entail being afraid, though that is a proper reaction when in his holy presence. No, it includes being in awe of God and his mighty power. It includes respecting him and learning his ways. It includes appreciating that God is our maker and he rules the earth, whether we want to believe it or not.
God doesn’t need us, but he wants us. God can do anything he desires without us, but he wants to include us in his work. God has a plan for each of us, but we can decline the opportunity to go along with his plan. God has designed us with free will, an opportunity to make choices of our own—good or bad.
Fearing God doesn’t mean we shake in our boots at the mention of his name. It does mean we sit up tall and listen when he speaks, much like we do when mom or dad speak. It means we seek to learn from him and acknowledge his wisdom is far greater than our own. God wants us to be with him forever, we have a choice to make.
I pray we all fear God. I pray we are in awe of God and respect him. I pray each one of us will sit up and listen closely when God speaks, whether through his written Word or his whisper in our ear. Fear God. God is awesome. Be in awe of God. God is almighty. Respect God. God is far wiser. Listen to God. God has a plan for you.
Psalm 34:9-11
Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Marty Pressey 