Fear of the Lord

How great is Your goodness,
which You have stored up for those who fear You,
which You have wrought for those
who take refuge in You…
Psalm 31:19

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What is it to ‘fear the Lord’?  Fear normally has a negative connotation to it.  We think of someone who may be ‘paralyzed with fear’.  But this is not what the psalmist is speaking of here.

God gave His people rules and laws when they came out of Egypt.  Why?  Because for over 400 years they were not able to think for themselves.  They had lived and functioned in a pagan land filled with idols and artificial gods.  Those who did remember God’s promises had to really protect themselves from the influence of the pagan culture.

When we study the Old Testament teachings about the Hebrew people, we often think, “Why were they so stubborn?”  Couldn’t they see what they are doing by not obeying Moses and Aaron? Why did Aaron build the golden calf when he knew Moses was on the mountain with God?  The reason?—they were human and did not have the same type of relationship with God as Moses had.  As they continued to walk with Moses they did learn more of God’s character, but still chose not to trust Him. We, today, still have similar choices to make.

As we walk with God and study His Word, we are inviting wisdom and knowledge to come in.  We are saying that we want more than just a casual relationship with God.  We want to become invested in His Will for our lives.  It’s like with your friends—you talk to them and get to know who they are and what their likes and dislikes are.  So when we chose to not to make time for God, we are saying He is not important.

We must strive to cultivate an attitude of respect. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”  The first-century church (shown to us in the Book of Acts) practiced the fear of the Lord.  

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria
had peace and was being built up.
And walking in the fear of the Lord
and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Acts 9:31

The early Church chose to focus on what was good in their lives and keep up their community by seeking daily to bless others and be God’s best.

We can walk in this way as well.  When we are coming into a state of turmoil, we can choose to walk in God’s goodness by following His Will in our lives.

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Let’s pray:  Father, I come humbly before You, thanking You for Your goodness.  Give me a heart to seek after You and Your Word and be a light to others.  Help me not to become distracted and to remain focused on You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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