Bible Reading: Proverb 1, 2; 1 Corinthians 16
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” – Proverb 1:7 (KJV).
Fear could be a negative vice or a positive virtue. There are so many things people fear. There is the fear of failure, the fear of death, the fear of calamity like accident or sickness. There are people whose presence creates fear for others. Such people are dreaded by others. God delivers us from these negative fears but he also creates a holy, positive fear in us. The holy fear that the knowledge of God creates in us is not a bad one but a good one. It is to stand in awe of God and to reverence or respect him. The fear of God is to hate sin, such holy fear leads to obedience and responsible life. It makes one to tremble at God’s word. God delivers us from the negative fear by releasing faith into our heart. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” – 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV).
Jesus died to deliver man from the fear of death and freed man to enjoy and explore eternal life. “For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage” – Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV).
One cannot fear God until one gets to know Him. It is impossible to know God and not fear Him. Anyone who claims to know God who does not fear him does not truly know Him because true and genuine knowledge of God instills a holy fear. The fear of God does not scare one from God, rather it is inviting, it draws one close to God, it makes one to truly love God and to truly want to obey him.
PRAYER: Oh Lord, help me to fear you and never take your love for granted.
Rev. Vincent Diolu