“Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children” (Deuteronomy 4:10).
Introduction
We can only imagine what it must have been like when God’s presence descended upon Mount Horeb. The people of Israel trembled both physically and spiritually as they stood at the foot of the mountain. “And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled” (Exodus 19:16). They were in no doubt that the Holy God was with them. Moses warned the people that they must honour the Lord in reverential fear. “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24).
The fear of the Lord
Very few people fear God today. This is evident in the way the media ridicules God, His people and the Bible. Worshipping the Creator, according to modern thinking, is only practiced by those who are in bondage to mythology. They will not fear Him because they love their sin. “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes” (Psalm 36:1).
Even Christians have forgotten the fear of the Lord in their daily lives. If we speak about the issue, they consider us to be too religious and legalistic. How quick they are to quote 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love”, without understanding what John was speaking about. To love God is to honour, glorify and fear Him enough to worship Him with all our hearts. “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7). It is not possible to truly worship Him, despite lovely words and tunes, if we do not fear the Lord. “Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great” (Revelation 19:5). “The fear of the Lord” is the “the principle of true piety” (Jamieson, Faussett, Brown Commentary).
Should we fear God?
It is very unwise to have no fear of the Lord. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Without a healthy fear of God we will not endeavour to walk in holiness, righteousness and justice. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Whenever anyone came into the presence of God, as illustrated many times in the Old Testament, they trembled and often fell on their faces before Him. Isaiah 6:1-5 reveals something of such an experience. “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
Scripture teaches is that it is normal for true followers of God to fear Him, “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 clean” (Psalm 19:9). It keeps us from sin, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way” … “By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” (Proverbs 8:13, 16:6). It gives us a healthy and long life, “The fear of the LORD prolongeth days” (Proverbs 10:27). It guards our hearts as we travel the pathway of eternal life, “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life” (Proverbs 14:27). It makes our faith stronger, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence” (Proverbs 14:26).
Conclusion
Probably the reason why few fear God today is found in the fact that they have no understanding of His holiness, and a lack of holiness produces disobedience to His standards. We need to remind ourselves that we must all stand before God one day, and in His presence we will tremble. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Those who refuse to fear God reveal that they do not know the One they claim to serve. “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5).
© 26/2/2008