Do You ‘Fear’- Revere and Honor God?
Thank you for reading the post today. It is so exciting to find the treasures in God’s precious Word to us! I pray the Lord will give you a clearer understanding and insight into what He has so wondrously provided for us. Eric
For you to fully grasp the topic of our post today, I need to explain that certain words translated ‘fear’ in the Bible are translated from various Greek and Hebrew words which can have more than one meaning. Looking at the original Greek and Hebrew and knowing which word was used in the verse helps us understand or comprehend what truth the Scripture is revealing. For example, the Hebrew word, ‘yare’ can be translated ‘fear’ or ‘reverence’. The Greek word, ‘phobeo’ means: to fear, be afraid of, struck with fear, or to be seized with alarm. Often times we can realize and know which definition is appropriated or compatible based on the context of the verse.
When we hear the word ‘fear,’ we generally think of being afraid or terrified. There are Scriptures written which reveal that God should be feared in that way, when it comes to our facing the judgment of God. This is something that each one of us will encounter at the end of the age.
Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV) establishes, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” ‘Appointed,’ spokeimai, means reserved for one. Each one of us has a God established or appointed time reserved for us to die or leave our earthly home or our physical body. ‘Judgment,’ krisis is: a separating; the last judgment where a decision will be given concerning justice and injustice, right and wrong.
Hebrews 10:31 (NKJV) presents this truth to us, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” ‘Fearful,’ phoberos means: inspiring fear, terrible, formidable, of dreadful. ‘To fall’ means to incur divine penalties. The root word for ‘fall’ is pipto which is defined as: to be entrapped by or to be overwhelmed with. ‘Hands’ metaphorically stands for the power of God, symbolizing his might, activity, and power in punishing. You see, we could easily read over that verse and not actually think much about it. However, when we understand what the implications are when we see the hard truth presented, we realize that we need to take seriously our relationship with God.
“Only God has the power over death and hell.” (Truth in Action, for Hebrews 10:31, NSFLB). Hell is the place of eternal, conscious punishment for the devil and those who die without receiving Christ. It is characterized by despair and anguish. (Matthew 25:30). The Lord has clearly set out the requirements for entering into His eternal presence. His Word is very clear - there will be a day of reckoning, accounting or judgment and absolutely everyone will face it. His judgment rendered (an absolute) will be determined by our faithful service to Him.
My grandfather accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior at the age of ninety. Quoting him following his salvation experience, “Here I am, ninety years old and I’m just beginning to live!” From the time he accepted Christ until his death, he feared (reverenced) the Lord. I was away for military training when he passed so I heard this testimony from my father and brother when I arrived home. My granddad asked my aunt to have my dad and brother come to see him. When they arrived, he was propped up in bed. He told them he was going to go ‘home’ and wanted to say ‘goodbye.’ After their exchange, he laid back on the pillow, had a big smile on his face and entered into eternity with the Lord. It was a beautiful thing.
When my wife’s mother passed away, her brother, sister-in-law, sister, and some nieces were present. Donna’s mother had also accepted Christ as Savior and reverenced (feared) the Lord. Her mom’s passing was so peaceful that Donna’s niece suddenly realized she had stopped breathing. There was absolutely no struggle and as with my grandfather, she had a gentle passing. She also had beautifully entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior.
I share these testimonies to help you be aware of and understand one of the amazing blessings that come to our lives as a result of ‘fearing’ the Lord.
The remainder of our study today will be focused on the ‘fear’ (yare) of God, which is defined as: the fear of God which exalts Him, reveres Him, respects, and puts Him first place in our lives.
Deuteronomy 10:12 (NKJV) reveals, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,” “This ‘fear’ is not merely about being afraid but involves a deep reverence and commitment to God’s commandments and will.” (Strong’s Lexicon Usage Note, Bible Hub). Kingdom Dynamics in the NSFLB, adds this insight - “This verse paints a powerful and beautiful picture of a wholehearted believer, one who fears the Lord with honor and reverence, walks in all His ways, loves Him and serves Him wholeheartedly. God created us to be passionate for Him and promises to empower us to walk out this passion. The human heart was not created to work properly in half-heartedness, but to be undivided and whole. The secret to spiritual emotional, and relational health and strength is to be a wholehearted individual.” Wholeheartedness is what God really desires from us. He wants our hearts and our love more than anything else. (Matthew 22:37). Our longing to be wholehearted is satisfied as the Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our heart to empower us to fulfill those requirements and be abandoned to Jesus.
The ‘fear’ of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Psalm 111:10). The Hebrew word translated ‘wisdom’ is chokmah, derived from chakam, meaning: “to be wise” or “to act wisely” In Strong’s Lexicon usage, Bible Hub, chokmah refers to wisdom, skills and moral insight. Wisdom is often portrayed as a divine attribute and a gift from God, essential for righteous living and understanding His will. It is not merely intellectual knowledge but involves the application of knowledge in making Godly decisions. When you honor and give reverence to God, you will begin to receive this knowledge! God is so good!
Proverbs 1:7 reveals that the ‘fear’ of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The Hebrew word for knowledge (daath) is from the root word yada which means, to know. According to Strong’s Lexicon Study Bible Usage: “The Hebrew word ‘daath’ primarily refers to knowledge, understanding and perception. It encompasses both intellectual comprehension and experiential knowledge. In the Biblical context, it often implies a deep intimate understanding that goes beyond mere factual information, encompassing moral and spiritual dimensions.”
“In ancient Hebrew culture, knowledge was seen as a gift from God, essential for a life that is pleasing to Him.” (Textual notes from NSFLB).
I hope the realization that ‘anything He requires or asks of us, He provides and equips’ is not lost on you!
Let’s look at some of the blessings He bestows on those who fear (reverence) Him:
Psalm 25:12 (ESV), “Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.”
Psalm 31:19 (NIV), “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” He will pour out good things upon the ones who fear Him, in the sight of all. Your blessings will be a testimony for the Lord!
Psalm 34:7-9 (NIV), “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” Wow! God has the angel of the Lord set up camp or dwell around us! The word ‘blessed’ in verse 8 means: happiness and divine favor. ‘Refuge’ means us putting our trust and hope in Him.
In the last days, before the return of Christ, we will face very difficult times. We will need His wisdom and knowledge, provision, blessings and protection as never before. Bless God, we have just seen the truth that if we ‘fear’ or reverence Him, He will give us all of that!
Choose to live every day of your life fearing (honoring, exalting, showing reverence and putting Him first place in your life!
Psalm 33:18 (NIV), “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,” He keeps watch over us when we reverently fear Him!
As believers in Christ, we are to live, now and all of our days on earth, in the fear of the Lord. (Acts 9:31 (CSB), “So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.” 1 Peter 1:17(NIV), “Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” (Earth is not our final destination. God created us to live with Him, so we are here on earth as pilgrims journeying toward our eternal home. That home will be with Him if we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord).
2 Corinthians 7:1 (WEB), “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
In closing, we will look briefly at the conclusion the wisest man who ever lived came to after he had tried every way of life he could: Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV), “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty (everything) of all mankind.”
Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, if you have not done so.
Realize there is fear which causes alarm and there is fear that reverences , honors and respects God.
Choose to ‘fear’ Him.
These will be the best decisions you will have ever made!
NKJV New King James Version
NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible
ESV English Standard Bible
CSB Christian Standard Bible
NIV New International Version
WEB World English Bible