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One of the first recorded decrees from God to his then-chosen people – the Israelites – was for them to, “Fear the Lord your God, serv(ing) him only… for the Lord your God… is a jealous God…” Deuteronomy 6:13

The decrees, commands and laws given to the Israeli’s through Moses were then intended to guarantee they and their children would possess and inherit the land they had been miraculously brought to; ensuring a joy-filled long life, causing them in turn to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6 1-5

At the presentation of the stone tablets upon which God had written his pre-eminent commands, Moses rhetorically asked and then answered the most important question the Jews were to wrestle with throughout their existence. “And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees I am giving you today for your own good?” Deuteronomy 10:12,13

Moses followed that up with a description of all that God had done for them – and to the Egyptians in their escape from bondage – as well as his displeasure and punishment of them when they turned their backs on him in disobedience in their desert journey to the Promised Land. In the process, reminding them that God’s discipline was meant to assure not just obedience by them and their children, but to guarantee their safety and well-being as they constructed a new order in a new land. Putting before them a blessing for obedience and a curse for the lack thereof. (See Deuteronomy 11 and Hebrews 12, explaining the concept of discipline as a tool of personal improvement, God treating us as family; forcing compliance when necessary, preferring we obey him out of love, trust and respect for his attempt to lead us to the “good life” through holiness.)

But that’s old school isn’t it? Clung to by Old Testament adherents who can’t quite bring themselves to accept God’s grace, mercy and all-encompassing love. Which seemingly runs contrary to John’s declaration of, “God is love.”; which can and should bring us, “…confidence on the day of judgment,…” As, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” Insisting that, “The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:16-18

So why then does Paul instruct us to, “…continue to work our your salvation with fear and trembling,..”? I believe the answer lies – at least in part – in the duality of the meaning of fear; which can embrace anxiety, agitation and dread or respect, reverence and awe. The word and emotion of awe representing a complicated concept in and of itself, denoting both awful and awe-filled. Fearing what God could – and possibly should – do, causing us to respect him for restraining his all-consuming sense of justice in dealing with our disobedience (Hebrews 10:31), loving him for the mercy he extends to us when we admit to our sin and inconsistency and acknowledge him as our Lord and Savior. (And shouldn’t we “fear’ not going to heaven and “dread” a life lived here on earth without his presence?) As such, we don’t tremble in terror at his approach but fear disappointing him, knowing he has the power and the “legal right” to destroy but chooses to redeem. (See Luke 2:4,5 & Hebrews 10:26,27 for a truly frightening description of who and what we genuinely have to fear; judgment and isolation from God as a result of unrepentant sin and an unregenerate life.)

Are there practical ways fear benefits our lives? More to the point, what could biblical fear do for us? Even though many of the calls to fear the Lord appear in the Old Testament, God still can speak to us through it; in fact, an incomplete understanding of the Old diminishes our perception of the New. Such as the Psalmist’s declaration that, “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.” Psalm 19:9 Which fosters a desire to please him through obedience to his will. This simple statement is then surrounded by assurances that, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold, they are sweeter than honey … By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-14

It is recognition of these truths that allowed the Psalmist to proclaim, “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 Jesus answering that question when he cautioned his disciples, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.” Matthew 10:28 Paul assuring us that if we’re “in Christ” nothing can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:35-39) All of which gives us a sense of peace, contentment and purpose in our relationship with God, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in and the less-than-perfect relationships we may have with others. David expressing the confidence we can all feel, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.” Psalm 27:3

Scripture asserts that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10 & 15:33 – like children who initially obey out of fear of punishment who later learn that obedience can and should be an expression of respect and love for the one – or One – looking out for their best interest.) That wisdom leading to a confidence in God’s love and provision. (Proverbs 3:25,26; Hebrews 4:16) “The fruit of righteousness (bringing us) peace, the effect of righteousness (developing) quietness and confidence forever.” Is. 32:17 Fearing the Lord leading us to righteousness as we learn to hate evil; such as pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (Proverbs 8:13 – and a good code of conduct found in Romans 12:9-21) All of which can lead us not just to long life (Proverbs 10:27) but to a more fulfilled one. (Proverbs 14:27 & 19:23) Because, “Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.” Proverbs 16:6 (And no, I am not advocating a works-oriented salvation with these scriptural admonitions, but a process by which good deeds express our love for God and our fellowman after salvation. See James 2:14-26)

The Psalmist lovingly entreats us to, “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” A sentiment Peter shared, quoting Psalm 34:11-16 almost verbatim in his first epistle; teaching that, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:10-12 (Certainly something we should fear.)

The important thing is what or who fear drives us to. Interestingly, scripture says, “Evil (not God) will slay the wicked, the foes of the righteous will be condemned. (But) the Lord redeems his servants, no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:21,22 In fact, we are assured that, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” Psalm 34:7 (See also Psalm 103:8-13)

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