The Fear of the Lord by Melissa Crowe - April 14, 2025
I was sitting in church this past weekend when the Pastor started talking about the fear of the Lord. He asked the congregation, “Do you know what the fear of the Lord is?” Obviously, there was silence as he continued to state, “If the world feared the Lord, it would be a better place."
I started thinking about this and thought of course I know what the fear of the Lord is. It is awe and reverential respect for God, His laws, and statutes. It means obeying His word. It’s the kind of fear that makes you fear your parents when you’re growing up. You’re not afraid of them, but you’re so scared of disappointing them or of getting into trouble. It’s the same kind of fear you have that makes you slow down and obey the speed limit when you pass a police officer. This kind of fear keeps you in check. It keeps you from sinning, and from disobeying God because you don’t want to disappoint Him.
While pondering what the Pastor was saying, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “To fear me is to please me.” It’s so simple. I am a people pleaser by nature, so naturally this resonated with me. And being a people pleaser, I feel devastated when I disappoint someone. When you have a real relationship with the Lord and fall in Love with Him and everything about Him, ie: His love, His nature, His Word, His sacrifice, His grace and mercy, etc., it becomes your heart’s desire to please Him, and make Him happy.
In other words, I fear disappointing Him. He is the Lover of my Soul and without Him, my life would be empty and void. Not to mention there are consequences to sin, which I know all too well, and it’s just not worth it. It should grieve your spirit when you disappoint Him.
The Bible talks about fearing God over 350 times in the bible, so I think it’s something we need to pay attention to. It says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7. Then in Job 28:28 it says, “ Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.”
Then why do we continue to fall short at times? Because we have a sinful nature and are still like children, who test the boundaries and are still learning and growing. We are still being perfected and molded on the Potter’s Wheel of Life. It’s what keeps us humble, having to accept His grace and mercy.
So how do we get this "Holy" fear, this awe and reverential respect for God? It starts by spending time with Him, reading His word, and learning about Him. It starts with conversing with Him throughout the day, every day. You will come to rely on Him and be fulfilled in a way that no Human Being could ever fulfill.
I believe the Pastor was right! The fear of the Lord would keep marriages together, it would stop crime, and it would bring World Peace. The fear of the Lord keeps us in right standing with God, and there is nothing more peaceful than having a clear conscience before a righteous, Holy Father. The world would most definitely be a better place if it truly feared the Lord.
