Recently I was in a church conference where several nationally well-known ministers spoke. In their discourse, a reference was made concerning the fear of the Lord. I found this interesting as there was no conference theme and therefore it was clear that God by the Holy Spirit was speaking to His people desiring to convey a thought concerning His will.
When it comes to words, especially words used in the Bible, we must spend time studying and meditating on their meanings. This creates new thought pathways to quicken our understanding of the truth within those words and the freedom they possess for our lives. When the Bible speaks of the fear of the Lord, if we have not renewed our minds and solidified the spiritual meaning of the phrase, our minds can easily provide the wrong definition of fear.
When the Bible speaks of the fear of the Lord it is not talking of terror, fright, or dread of an awaited verdict of penalty. It is not a picture of one walking on eggshells to avoid what might happen if you don’t comply or submit. The fear of the Lord deals with the heart. It is a phrase that speaks of an unchanging value and intimate appreciation of the One who holds the absolute ability to support and supply those He has created.
The fear of the Lord is a phrase that deals with proximity and produces an awe and reverence that leads to intimate worship and adoration. Worship is the appropriate response to God revealing himself to mankind. Big God, big worship. Not to belabor the subject, but worship is not what happens after a praise song in church. Worship is a lifestyle of obedience and adherence to God’s will and plan as we make life decisions.
Once understood, the fear of the Lord becomes a heartwarming phrase that we embrace and see as a protection to the circumstances that we face in the world. I open with this thought because while in prayer I hear the Lord saying to the world, the church and to us individually, “Come back to Me!” The fear of the Lord is the secret place spoken of in Psalms 91. The fear of the Lord is not just an emotion sensed, rather it is a location where trust is created, peace is given, and rest is experienced. It is where God says, “I will be with you in trouble, I will deliver you, and I will satisfy you with long life.”
I want to illustrate this with an Old Testament story. We must remember that all scripture is God-breathed and is profitable. 1 Corinthians 10:11 says, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition or instruction….” I believe that we are in a time just like Israel was and have turned away in one way or another from God.
Whether intentional or by distraction we must return to Him fully personally, socially, and politically becoming dependent on Him and surrendering to His voice and guidance. It is only then that we will have true success in these areas of life.
I want you to read 2 Chronicles 15:3-4, 12, 15 as it will assist in the word God has for you. It reads, “For a long time Israel has been without the true God, (Note, anything that is not a “true God” is an idol. An idol is not just a stone and wood image anymore, it is anything you have placed trust and expectation in for your life’s supply. Work, investments, people, sports…the list goes on.) without a teaching priest, (Note, it would be ignorance to not believe that we have ministers that have become prey and are sensitive to those with itching ears as mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:3) and without law; but when in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. 12 Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their hearts and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.” The awakening that we need is that of a covenant to turn to the Lord and seek Him. To reinstate the fear of the Lord and walk in His predetermined and accomplished promises.
People run wild when they are without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without the law/word. (Proverbs 29:18 MSG) 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT) reads, “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” Isaiah 55:3 (NKJV) says, “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul (mind, will, and emotions) shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you – the sure mercies of David.”
I want to give you an excerpt from a post I wrote previously on the fear of the Lord. You can read it in its entirety at this web address. www.martinministries.tv/why-fear-god/ “Your fear of the Lord, returning and coming back to the heart of the Father, will walk you past temptation and through the temperatures of the fiery furnace without incident or accident; it will place you in position to reign in life as kings. Why do we walk in the fear of the Lord? Why not? When honor, reverence, and awe are given through the revelation of Jesus Christ concerning the One who loves beyond the natural mind’s ability, your location will never be one of dissatisfaction or limit.”