The Fear of the Lord

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

“the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7)

In considering the expression “the fear of the Lord” we must not think that it means just being “afraid” of God. Although it must be said that, for the unconverted, they do well to be afraid in that sense. Hebrews 10:31 declares “it is a fearful thing to fall in to the hands of the living God.” However, for the true believer in Jesus Christ, it is rather to have a reverence for God that comes from a contemplation and consciousness of the greatness, majesty and holiness of God.
Dr. F. W. Faber, a hymn writer of the 19th century, expresses his fear of these words, “O how I fear Thee living God with deepest, tenderest fear; and worship Thee with trembling hope and penitential tears.”
The author of the book of Proverbs makes several significant statements about his true fear of God. In Proverbs 1:7 he writes “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Dr. G. Campbell Morgan points out that the word “beginning” in this text means “the principal part of wisdom. In all understanding of life, in all interpretation thereof, the fear of the Lord is the principal thing apart from which the mind of man grasps in darkness. That is the sum total of wisdom.”
Then in Proverbs 9:10 the author adds, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” But in this text the word “beginning” means the “starting point” of wisdom. So this is where wisdom begins, in the reverent fear of God.
Now the author explains how this true fear of God will be manifest. Proverbs 8;13, “in the hatred of evil.” Proverbs 16:6, “in departure from evil.” Proverbs 14:27, “as the fountain of life.” Proverbs 14:26, “as a strong source of confidence.” Proverbs 19:23, “the source of fullness of life.”
The early church apparently understood something of that true fear of God and its blessings. Acts 9:31 “and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” So may we also experience the blessings of this true fear of God.

Dr. Eric Crichton is a popular conference speaker, and Board member emeritus of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 1; Isaiah 11-13; Ephesians 4

Great Quote: In some ways, it's those of us who are most familiar with the Spirit's promises who are in the greatest danger. Someone has said that familiarity may not breed contempt, but it takes the edge off of awe. Something like this is true about the rich texts and glory-filled promises that drop the jaws or widen the eyes of newcomers but provoke no more than a raised eyebrow in the old-timers who have ceased to dream. Jim McGuiggan