The fear of the Lord is being TERRIFIED about BEING AWAY FROM GOD. “Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that HIS FEAR MAY BE BEFORE YOU, so that you MAY NOT SIN.” (Exodus 20:20) Our unrepented sin can cause us to be away from God.
“Wisdom and knowledge will be the STABILITY of your times, And the STRENGTH of salvation; THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS HIS TREASURE.” (Isaiah 33:6) The treasure of THE FEAR THE LORD is stability in our relationship with God and strength in our Christian walk with God.
“The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. HIS DELIGHT (chaphets: to take pleasure in) IS IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears…” (Isaiah 11:2-3) “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
For us to honor God we must LOVE WHAT HE LOVES and HATE WHAT HE HATES and God HATES SIN. “THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS TO HATE EVIL; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13)
SO, WE MUST:
- TREMBLE AT HIS PRESENCE: “’Do you not fear Me?’ says the LORD. “Will you not TREMBLE AT MY PRESENCE.” (Proverbs 5:22) “The FEAR OF THE LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.” (Psalms 19:9)
- TREMBLE AT HIS WORD: “Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who TREMBLE AT MY WORD.” (Isaiah 66:2)
WE TREMBLE:
- EVEN IF IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE TO US
- EVEN IF IT HURTS
- EVEN IF WE DON’T SEE THE BENEFIT
- THEREFORE, WE MUST OBEY GOD TO THE VERY END
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham