The Fear of the Lord...

Fear of the Lord means piety. It is used to express our religious duty toward God. It is essential but not inherited. Lack or absence of this fear can only bring sin, disillusionment and end in tragedy.

"Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, 'Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.'

[Deuteronomy 4:10]

It is something that we must be taught to children and people that each generation may learn to fear the Lord. Fear is the thing that God requires from each one of us. It is a purpose of creation.

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

[Ecclesiastes 12:13]

The two purposes of man according to Ecclesiastes 12:13 are:

• Fear God
• Keep His commandments

Things that we are not to fear:

• We are not to fear idols or other gods "The covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods. [2 Kings 17:38]
• We are not to fear man. We are to fear the Lord only. The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. [Proverbs 29:25]
• We are not to fear earthly calamities for they signify the near return of our Saviour
• The true believer does not fear future punishments but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. [Hebrews 10:27]
• We are not to fear 'fear' "Distress and anguish terrify him, They overpower him like a king ready for the attack [Job 15:24] casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. [1 Peter 5:7]

In both the Old and the New Testament, we are asked to fear God...

1. "You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. [Deuteronomy 13:4]
2. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. [1 Peter 2:17]

Description of the fear of the Lord:

• It is a hatred of evil "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate. [Proverbs 8:13]
• It is wisdom The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever. [Psalm 111:10]
• It is a treasure Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it. [Proverbs 15:16]
• It is a fountain of life The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death. [Proverbs 15:27]


• It is clean The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. [Psalm 19:9]
• It endures forever
• It is godly Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe [Hebrews 12:28]

The motives that cause us to fear God:

1. The holiness of God Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED." [Revelation 15:4]
2. The greatness of God "For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. [Deuteronomy 10:17]
3. The goodness of God "Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. [1 Samuel 12:24]
4. The forgiveness of God But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. [Psalm 130:4]
5. The wondrous works of God
   "For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the LORD your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever." [Joshua 4:23-24]
6. Coming judgments and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters. [Revelation 14:7]

The fear of the Lord is necessary:

• To worship But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You. [Psalm 5:7]
• In service Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. [Psalm 2:11]
• To keep us from sin Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin." [Exodus 20:20]
• To good government "The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me,'He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God, [2 Samuel 23:3]
• For administration of justice "Now then let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the LORD our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe." [2 Chronicles 19:7]
• For the perfecting of holiness in our Christian lives Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. [2 Corinthians 7:1]

The results of fearing God

• It brings pleasure to the Lord The LORD favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness. [Psalm 147:11]
• It causes the Lord's pity to increase upon the child of God Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. [Psalm 103:13]
• It brings acceptance with God but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. [Acts 10:35]
• It brings the mercy of God But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children [Psalm 103:17]
• It brings blessings Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments. [Psalm 112:1]
• It brings confidence In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. [Proverbs 14:26]
• It brings separation from evil How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. [Proverbs 16:16]
• It brings Christian fellowship Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. [Malachi 3:16]
• It supersedes the fear of man "You are not to say, 'It is a conspiracy!' In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. "It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. [Isaiah 8:12-13]
• It brings answered prayer He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. [Psalm 145:19]
• It brings long life The fear of the LORD prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. [Proverbs 10:27]

Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. [Psalm 86:11]

Psalm 86:11 taught us God's way so that we can walk in His truth and unite our hearts to fear His Holy Name.