The Fear of God. A search gives you clothes and very expensive shoes!
Oh dear!
Following on from my last article with the comment by Jerry Bridges “there was a time when committed Christians were known as God-fearing people… a badge of honour”, we need to make more of the fear-of-God.
To have a healthy Fear-of-God is a realistic and essential attitude. It should at the very least be a strong deterrent to do wrong. It is foundational to a healthy church fellowship. It is good for society and the attitude is reflected – as per the Canberra Declaration – in the preamble to the Australian Constitution “Humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God”.
With this attitude we find our God is overwhelming in His goodness, love and forgiveness. His Son died in our place and now sits at the Father’s right-hand making intercession for us! How good is that?
But “fear of God” designer wear and shoes – some actually with “fear of God” emblazoned on them – ranging from $500-$1500AUD? I think maybe to stamp the fear of God into the opposing team on the basketball court, but it sounds like a deliberate slap in the face of God – like many of the proposed policies that are put forward to rule our country. A rejection of God. A flagrant thumbing our nose at God’s laws and precepts for good living and a healthy society. A significant lack of any Fear-of-God.
It would seem that many politicians, and those who would be, have no Fear-of-God. We need to pray for them.
Psalm 33: 8-9, 10-12 speaks to us and our nation. Let it be known.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere Him.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
He commanded, and it stood firm.
The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
He thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of His heart through all generations.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him,
on those whose hope is in His unfailing love
Also 2 Sam. 23:3,4
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
when he rules in the fear of God,
he is like the light of morning at sunrise
on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
that brings grass from the earth.’
And 2 Chronicles 19:5-7
He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate His rule with trembling. Psalm 2:10 NIV.
The Fear-of-God
builds up
confidence,
and makes a world
safe for your children.
Proverbs 14:26 The Message
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The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and understanding. Let us pray for the election of leaders who have reverential awe and fear of God who will govern our nation with godly wisdom.
The fear of God is also “to hate evil” (Prov.8:13) Not in a fearful way, but in way that shows “a healthy respect for the consequences”. For example, fire is good, but being burned is not good. So, if we don’t want to be burned we develop a healthy respect for what fire can do if we choose to ignore it’s power. Fear of God is like fear of fire. We love God. We respect his power. But we know if we break his rules we are the ones who will suffer. A healthy respect for the laws of God is as important to mankind’s survival as a healthy respect for the laws of nature. This is the beginning of wisdom. This is what should be taught in our schools.