Fear of the Lord

The Beginning of Friendship

"Fear of the Lord" is a difficult idea to grasp.

When we talk to others about our faith, we like to share the God that we know intimately: the God of grace, love, forgiveness, and relationship. Sometimes it is hard to reconcile this with a God that we should fear.

What image does the fear of the Lord bring to mind for you?

For some, it has to do with fear of punishment for sins, and it causes religious obedience. For others, their mind conjures up pictures of devastating end-time wrath, and they look for salvation to avoid it.

In any case, fear usually does not sound pleasant.

David spoke of the fear of the Lord in a prayer of repentance in Psalms 25:14.

Here is the verse in several translations:

The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. (NIV)

The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them. (NRSV)

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. (KJV)

God-friendship is for God-worshipers; they are the ones he confides in. (MSG)

This verse shows a level of intimacy with God that only comes through the fear of the Lord. But what does that really mean?

The fear of the Lord is acknowledgement that we have a big God, a God that is bigger than any other obstacle that we face.

We acknowledge that God is bigger than our financial crisis.

We declare that God is bigger than the illness we are facing.

God is bigger than the relationship troubles we are having, and bigger and more powerful than any giant we are facing. He is bigger than our best accomplishments and bigger than our worst fears.

Because we know this, we remember to fear God above anything else on this Earth and trust him to take care of us. We know that his wisdom prevails above ours, and we lean on this mighty pillar we have found.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

(Proverbs 3:7)

When we choose to fear the Lord, we choose to give his wisdom a higher place than ours.

In turn, we find the secrets of his wisdom, as God confides in us and gives us his friendship. He can be our friend because he does not have to re-direct our path.

Have you ever tried to tell your child that if he would just listen to what you tell him, you would not have to spend so much time correcting him? Don't you wish for this so that you can spend your time in pleasant conversation, deepening your relationship?

This is what God wants, too.

He wants an intimate relationship, and if we trust that he is King and follow his direction, we can spend less time getting re-directed and more time enjoying precious friendship.

When have you had to trust God to be BIG?

Have you ever had to trust God to be bigger than your problems? Tell us about it!

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Discipleship Resources

Drawing Women Closer to the Heart of God, DVD By Beverly LaHaye / Word Entertainment Inc

When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference By Carolyn Custis James / Zondervan

My Utmost For His Highest, Classic Edition, Mass Market Paperback By Oswald Chambers / Barbour Publishing

The Practice of the Presence of God By Brother Lawrence / Baker

Come Thirsty, softcover By Max Lucado / Thomas Nelson

O2: Breathing New Life into Faith By Richard Dahlstrom / Harvest House Publishers

The Beloved Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus By Beth Moore / B & H Publishing Group

The Beloved Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus (abridged on 3 Compact Discs) By Beth Moore, Sandra Burr / Brilliance Audio

John: 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple By Beth Moore / B & H Publishing Group