"O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him." — Psalm 34:9
The so-called reality programs currently the rage on television have tended to emphasize and reward the "virtue" of fearlessness. The Word of God approaches the matter of fear from a different perspective. Granted, there are different kinds of fear, and when the Bible speaks of "the fear of the Lord," it is not referring to fear in a negative sense, terror, but of respect for the wisdom, power and authority of our Creator and Lord.
The right kind of fear is a healthy thing, protecting wise men from things and circumstances that might otherwise destory them. So it is with the fear of the Lord. Cataloging some of the sins of the ungodly, the apostle Paul concludes, "There is no fear of God before their eyes [Rom. 3:18]." Here the absence of a healthy fear—respect for God— is the key to man's disregard for divine authority, and propels him along the road to eternal destruction. Yet many such consider themselves wise ("smart") and very courageous in their defiance of the law of the Lord.
In contrast scripture would teach us, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments… [Psalm 111:10]." "To fear the Lord," wrote Dr. Scroggie, "does not mean to be afraid of Him, but signifies that attitude of devout reverence towards Him which becomes us all, and the conduct which it demands." (My italics.)
Those who learn to fear the Lord will first of all seek Him (v. 4), then "look to Him" (v.5), that is, enjoy a sustained dependence upon Him. In times of stress and distress, they will "cry" to Him as their resource Who affords "grace to help in time of need" (v. 6), and trust in Him implicitly in the various circumstances of life (v.8).
In fact, this whole psalm delineates many of the benefits accruing from "fear of the Lord." Those who fear Him are delivered from every other fear (v.4); afforded true dignity (v.5); their destiny is determined (v.6); they are afforded protection (v.7), provision (v. 9,10), and prolonged (eternal) life (v. 12). Believers conversant with the New Testament will be able to find New Testament parallels for many of these.
Not surprisingly, the divine spokesman in Proverbs has considerable to say on this subject. Among others consider, for example:
"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death [Prov. 14:27]." (Eternal value.)
"Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith [Prov. 15:16]." (Relative value.)
"…by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. [Prov. 16:6b]." (Moral value.)
"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life [Prov. 22:4]." (Temporal value.)
Among the spiritual qualities attributed to the Lord Jesus Christ, the prophet Isaiah notes the fear of the Lord: "And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD [Isa. 11:2]." And, it is distinguished by Luke as a quality characterizing the early church which helped to account for its growth: "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied [Acts 9:31].
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding [Prov. 9:10]." In contrast, of some it is said "… they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil [Prov. 1:29-33]." Where does your fear lie?!
For God's glory,
"Pastor" Frasier
The so-called reality programs currently the rage on television have tended to emphasize and reward the "virtue" of fearlessness. The Word of God approaches the matter of fear from a different perspective. Granted, there are different kinds of fear, and when the Bible speaks of "the fear of the Lord," it is not referring to fear in a negative sense, terror, but of respect for the wisdom, power and authority of our Creator and Lord.
The right kind of fear is a healthy thing, protecting wise men from things and circumstances that might otherwise destory them. So it is with the fear of the Lord. Cataloging some of the sins of the ungodly, the apostle Paul concludes, "There is no fear of God before their eyes [Rom. 3:18]." Here the absence of a healthy fear—respect for God— is the key to man's disregard for divine authority, and propels him along the road to eternal destruction. Yet many such consider themselves wise ("smart") and very courageous in their defiance of the law of the Lord.
In contrast scripture would teach us, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments… [Psalm 111:10]." "To fear the Lord," wrote Dr. Scroggie, "does not mean to be afraid of Him, but signifies that attitude of devout reverence towards Him which becomes us all, and the conduct which it demands." (My italics.)
Those who learn to fear the Lord will first of all seek Him (v. 4), then "look to Him" (v.5), that is, enjoy a sustained dependence upon Him. In times of stress and distress, they will "cry" to Him as their resource Who affords "grace to help in time of need" (v. 6), and trust in Him implicitly in the various circumstances of life (v.8).
In fact, this whole psalm delineates many of the benefits accruing from "fear of the Lord." Those who fear Him are delivered from every other fear (v.4); afforded true dignity (v.5); their destiny is determined (v.6); they are afforded protection (v.7), provision (v. 9,10), and prolonged (eternal) life (v. 12). Believers conversant with the New Testament will be able to find New Testament parallels for many of these.
Not surprisingly, the divine spokesman in Proverbs has considerable to say on this subject. Among others consider, for example:
"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death [Prov. 14:27]." (Eternal value.)
"Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith [Prov. 15:16]." (Relative value.)
"…by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. [Prov. 16:6b]." (Moral value.)
"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life [Prov. 22:4]." (Temporal value.)
Among the spiritual qualities attributed to the Lord Jesus Christ, the prophet Isaiah notes the fear of the Lord: "And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD [Isa. 11:2]." And, it is distinguished by Luke as a quality characterizing the early church which helped to account for its growth: "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied [Acts 9:31].
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding [Prov. 9:10]." In contrast, of some it is said "… they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil [Prov. 1:29-33]." Where does your fear lie?!
For God's glory,
"Pastor" Frasier
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