Fear of the Lord

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The "fear of the Lord" is a truth that has been running through my mind lately. The Bible says that those who fear the Lord lack no good thing. I really want the fear of the Lord, but it seems so strange to fear someone who I know loves me more than anyone else has ever loved me.

For years I have equated fearing the Lord with "respecting the Lord". I think this is a small part of fear of the Lord, but God is showing me a different and more important depth to the fear of the Lord. Like all things God wants in my life, the fear of the Lord is meant to free me, not limit me.

God has been showing me that the fear of the Lord is the opposite of the fear of man. The fear of man is a little easier to wrap my mind around. It means to fear man's opinion, what someone might think of you, or do to you, in reaction to the choices you make.

The fear of man keeps many from being true to their heart. The fear of man limits us from openly following God and speaking the truth, as He reveals it. It prioritizes other people's opinions of us over what we know we are to say or do.

The fear of man, if we give into it, will drive us to say things we normally wouldn't, or not say things we know we should! It makes us a slave to other people's opinions.

The fear of the Lord elevates God's opinion of us over all others. It frees us from fear of what might happen if we tell the truth about what is really in our heart. Someday, we will stand before the most powerful being ever to exist, the Genesis 1 creator God. On that day we will actually review our words and actions with Him. On that day, only one opinion will matter...on that day, we will realize only one opinion ever mattered. From that moment on into eternity, our reputation will be based on how well we resisted a fear of man while on the earth and obeyed God. No man's opinion of us will matter except the opinion of Jesus. The fear of the Lord frees us to make choices that we will celebrate on that day! Choices to tell the truth about Jesus, His love, and our experience of Him while there was still time to free others from the fear of man.

Luke 12: 4 "Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he's the one to fear.

6 "What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

8 "I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God's angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God's angels.

Psalm 112:1 Praise the LORD !

How joyful are those who fear the LORD

and delight in obeying his commands.

2 Their children will be successful everywhere;

an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.

3 They themselves will be wealthy,

and their good deeds will last forever.

4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly.

They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.

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