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The Fear of the Lord

By Julie Rober​tson

These are the days in America where we find ourselves daily accosted with newscasts of angry citizens in town hall meetings, reports of mortgage foreclosures, unprecedented national debt and a health care system plan proposal that could mean drastic financial changes for everyone. Riveted somewhere between shock and disillusionment, our minds search for peace and stability, and our faith is tested. A simple prayer is heartfelt:

"It is time for You to act, O Lord, For they have regarded Your law as void."

Psalm 119:126

However, there is a place of blessing for us all, and it is in the fear of the Lord.

"Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,

Who delights greatly in His commandments.

His descendants will be mighty on earth,

The generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches will be in his house,

And his righteousness endures forever.

He will not be afraid of evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:1-3,7

"Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways." Psalm 128:1

"He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him,

He also will hear their cry and save them." Psalm 145:19

"Who is the man that fears the Lord?

Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.

He himself shall dwell in prosperity,

And his descendants shall inherit the earth." Psalm 24:12-13

"For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities those who fear Him." Psalm 103:11-13

What is the fear of the Lord, Biblically defined?

"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;

Pride and arrogance and the evil way,

And the perverse mouth I hate". Prov. 8:13

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Prov. 9:10

"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

And to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28

If we want to successfully abide in the fear of the Lord, if would be safe to say that we should be hating the evil things that God hates, and obeying his commandments. Since the fear of the Lord is wisdom, we should know what that wisdom is like.

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,

Gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,

Without partiality and without hypocrisy." James 3:17

Do we need healing?

"But to you who fear My name,

The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings."

Malachi 4:2

"Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

It will be health to your flesh,

And strength to your bones." Prov. 3:7-8

Do we need our prayers answered?

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,

And theLord listened and heard them;

So a book of remembrance was written before Him

For those who fear the Lord

And who meditate on His name." Malachi 3"16

"And whatever we ask we receive from Him,

Because we keep His commandments

And do those things that are pleasing in His sight." IJohn 3:22

Do we want to live out a full life here on this earth?

"The fear of the Lord prolongs days,

But the years of the wicked will be shortened." Prov. 10:27

Does anyone need financial increase or provision?

"By humility and the fear of the Lord

Are riches and honor and life." Prov. 22:4

"He has given food to those who fear Him;

He will ever be mindful of His covenant." Psalm 111:5

Would it be a blessing to feel the Lord's pleasure in us?

"The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,

In those who hope in His mercy." Psalm 147:11

The fear of the Lord is something that we must choose for ourselves, and the Bible clearly states consequences for not choosing it, and also indicates that we should choose it.

"Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;

They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

Because they hated knowledge

And did not choose the fear of the Lord,

They would have none of my counsel,

And despised my every rebuke." Prov. 1:29-30

"Do not let your heart envy sinners,

But be zealous for the fear of the Lord

All the day." Prov. 23:17

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

For this is man's all.

For God will bring every work into judgment,

Including every secret thing,

Whether good or evil." Ecc. 1:13-14

So, we see that the fear of the Lord, hating evil, following His commandments, having His wisdom, and even our love for Him are all intertwined.

"For this is the love of God,

That we keep His commandments.

And His commandments are not burdensome." IJohn 5:3

"If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15

"You who love the Lord,

Hate evil!." Psalm 97:10

In conclusion, it is our prayer and hope that we all will perfect our faith and maturity in the Lord during these days and learn to fear the Lord as He deserves, and walk in love with each other and with Him, honoring Holy Spirit in all we do.

"The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;

He who keeps his way preserves his soul." Prov. 16:17

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." Heb. 12:14

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