Fear God, But Don't Live in Fear (Part 2)

Fear God, But Don’t Live in Fear

“The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principle and the choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly wisdom, instruction and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 [The Amplified Bible]

He has been a part of my life since I was 15. He was my boss for three summers, became and mentor, friend, and confidante, and then years later, he became my boss again for seven years.

That was over 41 years ago. And even though I am 56, the President and CEO of a major Christian ministry for 14 years, I still have a respect and fear of my old boss, Neil Fichthorn. In fact, I have at least one dream a week that I am still working for him and forgot to do something.

While I have so much respect for him, I don’t live in fear of him. Remember the definition I shared yesterday from Stormie Omartian’s book? “Having the fear of the Lord means you have such a love and reverence for Him that you are afraid of what life would look like without Him.”

As much as I love and respect Neil, and my love for God should produce a love and reverence for Him that I would be afraid to live life without Him!

Here are six more principles of what this reverential fear and trust produces in the life of a believer:

7. God watches over you. “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy.” Psalm 33:18

8. God helps you walk away from evil. “In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” Proverbs 1:6

9. God gives you everything you need. “Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” Psalm 34:9-10

10. God reveals all you need to know. “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” Psalm 25:14

11. God keeps your life from being shortened. “The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.” Proverbs 10:27

12. God sends His angels to free you from harm. “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:7

I suggested yesterday you write these promise/principles on 3X5 cards. Do it! Review them daily for the next week. What would your life be like without Him? – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Job 10-13; Proverbs 6; Psalm 6

Compass Pointers: If you, your heart, your will, are enlisted on the good side, if you are wishing and trying that the good in you should conquer the bad, then you are on the side of God Himself, and God is on your side; and "if God be for us, who shall be against us?" Take courage, then. If thou dislikest thy sins, so does God. If thou art fighting against thy worst feelings, so is God. On thy side is God who made all, and Christ who died for all, and the Holy Spirit who alone gives wisdom purity, nobleness. How canst thou fail when He is on thy side? On thy side are all spirits of just men made perfect, all wise and good souls in earth and heaven, all good and wholesome influences, whether of nature or of grace, of matter or of mind. How canst thou fail if they are on thy side?  Charles Kingsley

Navigation Rules: Level 1: Proverbs 1:7; Level 2: Proverbs 1:1-7

Anchored to the Rock: It is strange that in our praying we seldom ask for a change of character, but always a change in circumstances.