from Lenae, GEMS Training Manger
THE FEAR OF THE LORD
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10
On July 8, 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut, American theologian Jonathan Edwards preached the sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” I was in middle school when it was first introduced to me and I sat wide-eyed at the imagery of the fierceness of God’s wrath. I closed my eyes as our teacher talked about the dreadful pit and the lake of burning brimstone. I opened them again to watch my instructor hold an imaginary spider on a slender thread above a raging fire as he quoted Edwards. “The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you . . . it is nothing but His hand that holds you from falling into the fire every moment. Oh, sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in.”
As I considered my personal peril, my heart sprinted into my loving Heavenly Father’s arms. I didn’t want to think on God’s burning anger. Instead I fixed my mind on the warmth of His grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Looking back, I now realize that I mentally closed the door to the phrase, “the fear of the LORD.” Scripture and the Spirit have convicted me that we are not entitled to pick and choose who God is. He is both loving Heavenly Father and sovereign, righteous judge.
God is holy and perfect, almighty and absolute, and we must approach Him in a manner that is worthy of His name. To fear Him encapsulates a shrinking back in recognition of the holiness, power, and autonomy of God and a drawing close in awe, reverence, and worship. We don’t fear to be in His presence as much as we fear to be out of it!
Sadly, Romans 3:18 accurately describes our culture today. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Psalm 36 repeats the lament, I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked; There is no fear of God before their eyes. In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they have ceased to be wise and to do good (vs. 1-3, TNIV).
In neglecting to fear God and His judgment, the world has gone wild instead of wise. Studies indicate there is little difference between how Christians make major decisions and live day-to-day when compared to secular society.
Now is the time for us to get wisdom and it begins by rightly understanding and living out what it means to fear the LORD.
Wisdom Step: Do a Bible word study on “the fear of the LORD.” Ask God to let that reverential fear keep you from sin and help you get wisdom.
Until you fear God and have a deep desire to follow Him you won’t care much about wisdom.
Jan Boone
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