(Message by Bro. Raymond at NLF, Vashi on 11 Oct 2009. Recalled from notes...:-) but must convey the meaning. happy reading!)
Today, let me talk to you about the 'fear of God'. Why we should fear God and not to fear any man...I remember as a teenager, I was afraid of people, darkness...but now, know, we need not fear! David writes 'I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears' (Ps. 34:4). Let me start with answers to the question, 'Why we must fear God?'
We MUST fear God for ...
1. He is King of the nations
In Jer. 10:7, it is written "Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You".
It says here that 'fearing God is His rightful due' and He is the King of all nations. Therefore we must fear Him. From the rising of the sun, to its going down, the Lord's name is to be praised.
2. He is holy
Rev. 15:4 says "Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested"
Our God is holy, therefore fear Him. He has taken us out of darkness – out of the bondage of sin, and put us into His marvelous light. He cannot tolerate sin; for He is holy.
3. He has forgiveness
Psalm 130: 3, 4 “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared”
He does not tolerate sin; but our God is merciful. ‘He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him’ (Ps. 103: 10, 11). The Bible says, ‘if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:9).
4. He is mighty
Joshua 4: 24 “…that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever”
The Lord is powerful – mighty; He dried up the red sea, cut off Jordan (v23). He brought down the walls of Jericho. All nations surrounding the people of Israel, knew and feared the God of Israel. ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord?
5. He has done great things
1 Samuel 12:24 “Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you”
We often hear in the church ‘God is good’ and the people respond ‘All the time’. Because we know what great things He has done in our lives! ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16)
6. He is Judge
Rom 14: 10, 12 “…For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God”
One day, we will all stand before God; one day we will all give an account to God. And there is no partiality with Him. His judgment will be impartial. We can all look so good outside – like the Pharisees; but God sees the ‘inside’. And God is going to judge our inner man – our thoughts and intents. Eccl. 12: 13, 14 say, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil”
7. He chastens (disciplines) us
Heb. 12: 5-7 “…My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves, He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there, whom a father does not chasten?”
Deut. 8: 5, 6 “You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you. Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him”
And now let me ask you what does ‘fearing God’ mean? Prov. 8:13 says, ‘The fear of the Lord is to hate evil…’
‘The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe’ (Prov. 29:25)
‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...’ (Prov. 9:10)
Having the fear of the Lord is the first step to wisdom, and to avoid the snares of death. Over and over again, in the bible, we find great men moved by the fear of the Lord, accomplished great things.
Noah found favor with God. It says ‘Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations’.
Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, because he feared God
Jacob, though a schemer, feared God (Gen 28:16, 17) when in Bethel after the dream of angels ascending and descending on the ladder.
Joseph spoke good things and did not take revenge on his brothers because he feared God.
David though with an opportunity twice to kill Saul who was pursuing him with an army, refrained from doing it because he feared God.
It says about Job that He feared God.
Nehemiah, the king’s cupbearer, pleads for God’s attention on behalf of all those who desire to fear His name.
The early Christians feared God. When Ananias and Sapphira, kept back part of their possessions and lied to the Holy Spirit and perished, ‘great fear came upon all the church’.
Proverbs 2:1-5 exhorts us to seek wisdom and get understanding - to diligently search for wisdom and to cry out for discernment. Then we ‘will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God’.
The young king Josiah, while cleaning the temple, found the Book of the Law and when it was read to him and all the people of Judah, he tore his clothes and feared God.
There are plentiful blessings for those who fear God. Psalm 34:9 says “Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him”
Psalm 145:19 says, “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him…” He will answer all your prayers.
Pro. 19:23 says “The fear of the Lord leads to life. And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil”
Let me conclude with a recap of why we must fear God. We must fear Him for…
1. He is King of the nations
2. He is holy
3. He has forgiveness
4. He is mighty
5. He has done great things
6. He is Judge
7. He chastens (disciplines) us
We are asked to walk the narrow way. For broad is the way that leads to evil. But narrow is the way, and difficult is the path, that leads to life. And there are few who find it.
Dear Lord, thank You, that Your Word is simple to understand and full of promises. Remove our earthly fears. Help us enter the narrow way and to be bold and courageous here on earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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