The necessity of fearing God

Charles Spurgeon, et al.

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

The fear of God is not a mere emotion--it is the soul's rightful posture before the majesty of the Almighty. It is the awe that grips the heart, when the creature truly beholds the Creator. It is the reverent submission that arises when one recognizes that, "our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases!" (Psalm 115:3). To fear God rightly, is not to cower as a slave before a tyrant--but to bow as a redeemed child before a holy Father who is infinitely glorious, righteous, and just.

In Scripture, the fear of God is the fountainhead of all true knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). It anchors wisdom in humility, restrains sin, and cultivates holiness. When Moses drew near the burning bush, he was told, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground!" (Exodus 3:5). That moment captures the essence of godly fear--an awareness of divine holiness that commands reverence and shapes obedience.

This fear is not abolished in the New Covenant, but deepened. Through the gospel, believers encounter God not only as Creator, but as Redeemer. Jesus bore the wrath which we deserved, and in Him God's justice and mercy meet. The cross reveals that our holy God cannot be trifled with--our sin costs the blood of Jesus! Yet it also shows that in Jesus, the God who should consume us, has chosen to cleanse and forgive us. "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire!" (Hebrews 12:28–29).

To fear God is to live under the perpetual sense of His presence, which sanctifies our speech, our thoughts, and our actions. The fear of God purifies our hearts. It . . .
  slays pride,
  mortifies lust,
  silences worldly ambition,
  and fuels sincere worship.
Those who fear God revere His majesty and walk in righteousness, because they love His holiness more than their sin.

It is this fear that drove Joseph to flee from Potiphar's wife; that sustained Daniel in Babylon; and that emboldened the apostles to say, "We must obey God rather than men!" (Acts 5:29).

To live without the fear of God, is to live as though God were small and man were great. But to live in the fear of God, is to see Him rightly: He is infinite majesty--and we are creatures of the dust. And yet this same majestic God stoops to call us His beloved children.

Let us therefore cultivate a holy fear--a reverent joy that delights in God's glory and obeys His Word. Such fear guards our souls, sanctifies our desires, and anchors us in wisdom. For only those who fear the Lord, truly know Him; and only those who truly know Him, can truly love Him.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Feel free to FORWARD these gems to others who may be encouraged or profited by them.