Wake Up
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24
I don't think it's a coincidence that three times in one week I've heard how we should fear and revere God. To be in total awe of him. I believe it is a divine message, perhaps just for me, but I’m going to share it in case it helps someone else.
I believe God is telling us to wake up and recognize that he is the Sovreign Almighty God. That he is the same God he’s always been. Yes, he is love. Yes, he does forgive. No, he’s not "after" you. But and this is a BIG but, we have lost our revenant fear of him, and we need to get it back….
Friends, please hear what I have to say. Let me explain.
Fear, as we commonly know it, is a feeling that comes from an adrenaline rush, the fight or flight response to being scared in a situation, like almost getting hit by a speeding car racing uncontrollably through your neighbourhood while minding your own business listening to a podcast on your morning walk, true story. Or after hitting a deer while driving at the crack of dawn to your granddaughter’s 15th birthday party in another state, also a true story, my husband’s not mine. However, I’m not talking about this self-preservation type of fear.
The reverent fear of God is NOT the same as this fight or flight adrenaline fear. The reverent fear of God is, as the Bible tells us, the beginning of wisdom.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9:10
“The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water, so you won’t go off drinking from poisoned wells.” Proverbs 14:27 MSG
We all know that drinking poison is bad for you! I'm not sure about you, but I don't want to drink from any poisoned wells!
Most version of this verse says the fear of the Lord turns us away from the ‘snares of death’.
What this verse is telling us is not to get so wrapped up in the things of this world, not to allow ourselves to be tempted by sin that looks good, feels good and tastes good in the moment. But in the long run it traps us into situations we can’t get out of— sin that keeps us from being obedient to the Lord.
If we would let the Holy Spirit guide and lead us, we could escape these traps and snares. Our lives would be so much simpler if we could comprehend this reverent fear of God and understand the significance of listening to and obeying our Heavenly Father in the same way that the majority of us listen to and obey our earthly fathers. Shouldn’t we want to make them both proud? Especially God. Our healthy fear of God is rooted in respect and reverence for him, not necessarily in fear of what type of punishment is in store for us once we die, even though we do have to give an account for all the choices we make in this world. Yes, God makes us responsible for our choices and we need to take ownership of them, trying our very best to always do the right thing in any given circumstance. Quickly confessing and repenting when we do mess up. Because he is, always has been and always will be faithful to forgive us, time after time. 1 John 1:9 KJV - If we confess our sins, he is faithful - Bible Gateway
O Lord, I have heard of what you have done, and I am filled with awe (some translations say FEAR). Now do again in our times the great deeds you used to do. Be merciful, even when you are angry. Habakkuk 3:2.
I hope I am making this clear. He’s not that off with their heads type of God I used to think he was. Sitting up on a cloud waiting for us to mess up so he could gleefully punish us. No, not at all, our God loves us so perfectly, so deeply, so completely that he sent his Son to die for us. Our God loves us so dearly and is so merciful, he will give us every opportunity to turn in surrender to him so we can spend eternity with him. Revering and fearing God is a way of life that expresses deep respect, honor, and love for God. It is so much more than just following religious traditions or rituals. It is a relationship with God that motivates us to obey His commands and avoid displeasing Him it helps us live righteously and avoid the snares and traps of the evil one. It’s all about realizing what an awesome God he is and having humility and gratitude toward him. If we can live in awe and wonder of him here and now, we will have an amazing life and an even better Eternity!
God is greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, more awe-inspiring than all who surround him. Lord God of Armies, who is strong like you, Lord? Your faithfulness surrounds you. Psalm 89:7-8
“To worship God in wonder and awe opens a fountain of life within you, empowering you to escape death’s domain.” Proverbs 14:27 TPT
Yes, I fear him but not because of the punishment I deserve but because I want to make him proud, it’s about being faithful to HIM. Revering and fearing God are not contradictory to his love for us, it is our response to his love that casts out the fear of punishment. Having a reverent fear of God means we don’t need to fear anything else!
Revering and fearing God gives us access to his salvation, mercy and grace.
Revering and fearing God gives us a firm foundation in shaky times.
Revering and fearing God helps us obey his commands.
Revering and fearing God helps us avoid evil.
Revering and fearing God helps us obey his commands.
Revering and fearing God honours him as our Father, Creator and Saviour.
Revering and fearing God casts out our fear of eternal torment and punishment.
Revering and fearing God helps us love God and one another better.
Father, I pray that as I learn to revere and fear you more, you will use me to fulfill your purpose and plan and make me a blessing to others. I also pray that as I fear and revere you more, I will hear and obey you better. I love you, and I want to please you by serving you faithfully. May I bring your name glory with everything I do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.