The Fear of God

Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Psalm 96:4
For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

Proverbs 2:5
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Psalm 89:7
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

Psalm 64:9
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

Psalm 66:16
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.


These are but a few verses that speak of fearing God. I am convinced that wisdom begins with the fear of God but have been conflicted about why we should fear such a loving and caring entity as God. I believe that I have finally found peace with myself regarding this seemingly opposing conflict.

If we consider God as our spiritual father but compare Him to our biological father, the similarity becomes quite clear. As a child, if you told your biological father that you had just stolen from the candy store, how would you want him to react? Should he shrug his shoulders and say 'Ok, I'm glad you're home. Get ready for dinner'? Is that a father's love? Or would you feel more love if he scolded (or spanked you) for doing wrong, took you back to the store to make you return the candy and apologize to the owner, and tell you that what you did was wrong and that you must never do it again?

Strangely, it is the stern father who expressed love to you. You would probably not steal again beacause you would fear that your father would become even angrier with you and respond more harshly. Though it may not seem like it initially, it is the fear of your biological father that helps you (eventually) understand his love and care for your well-being as you mature.

Our Spiritual Father's love is no different. We must fear Him to understand and respect His love toward us and accept his punishment if we need it. Though God's anger could kill us at any given moment, we pray that He will have mercy on us. We hope that He will not turn his back on us or have no regard for us like the example above of the father who did not care about the child's actions. Though we must seek to please God, we must also realize that all that we do is not pleasing to God and that there are consequences for our actions.

Proverbs reminds me:

11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Thank you ,God, for your care and concern and love towards me! Thank you for your instruction and your correction. I walk daily in fear of You but also in Your Love. I believe that the fear of God is a holy fear that we must learn to savor as an important part of our relationship with our Holy Father.