What do You Fear?

"The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else." Oswald Chambers

I always understood the fear of God to be awe. It is not that we stand shaking at the thought of Him, but more so that we have a healthy understanding of who He is and what He does and how He works.  We are in awe of an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God who created all things,  knows all things, has all power, and is everywhere.  We realize how great He is and how small we are.  We understand our place in the universe and also understand that He, even though He is who He is and we are who we are, understands us and loves us like an amazing Father loves His children,  that he made provision for our frailty by sending His only Son to become an offering for our sakes.

Oswald Chambers was right in the quotation above!  If we have a healthy fear of God (awe), we are no longer afraid of the things that this world or the next may bring.  We are no longer afraid of uncertainty, sickness, pain, suffering, or death.  We understand that we have been bought with a price so great that nothing else compares, nor is there anything else to worry about.  If you soak yourself in the fear of God, you won't be left with an armload of nothing! (Proverbs 23:17)

Those who do not fear God, do fear everything else, don't they?  Even if they act like they're not afraid of anything, they are afraid of everything and most everything they do is done out of their fear.  They have no confidence because they have no compass.  Whether it be inward and unseen or outward and seen, fear is the great motivator of the world.  But we do not have to live that way because we know whom we have believed and we are persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have entrusted to Him.  (2 Timothy 1:12)

"Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got— Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. God's works are so great, worth A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. His miracles are his memorial— This God of Grace, this God of Love. He gave food to those who fear him, He remembered to keep his ancient promise. He proved to his people that he could do what he said: Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift! He manufactures truth and justice; All his products are guaranteed to last— Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof. All that he makes and does is honest and true: He paid the ransom for his people, He ordered his Covenant kept forever. He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect. The good life begins in the fear of God— Do that and you'll know the blessing of God. His Hallelujah lasts forever!"  Psalm 111:1 (The Message)

"Because you hated Knowledge and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God, Because you wouldn't take my advice and brushed aside all my offers to train you, Well, you've made your bed—now lie in it; you wanted your own way—now, how do you like it? Don't you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots? Carelessness kills; complacency is murder. First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy—you're in good hands." Proverbs 1:29 (The Message)

"The Fear-of-God expands your life; a wicked life is a puny life."  Proverbs 10:27 (The Message)

"The Fear-of-God builds up confidence, and makes a world safe for your children."  Proverbs 14:26 (The Message)

"The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water so you won't go off drinking from poisoned wells."  Proverbs 14:27 (The Message)

"A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches."  Proverbs 15:16 (The Message)

"Don't for a minute envy careless rebels; soak yourself in the Fear-of-God— That's where your future lies. Then you won't be left with an armload of nothing."  Proverbs 23:17 (The Message)

"Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?"  Job 4:6 (ESV)

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."  1 John 4:18 (ESV)

Dear Lord,  Thank you that You are our compass and that because we have You, we have no need of fear.  Help us to show others how to live without fear.  Help us to be the beacon of light that You desire us to be...