Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The fear of the Lord

Yesterday in Psalm 19, we read about God's law. We read a phrase there that I want to look at again today: "the fear of the Lord." Let's learn a little about the fear of the Lord from Proverbs.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

Does this mean we're supposed to be scared of God? It means that we properly reverance and respect God. If we remember all that God has done and what He is doing for us, how can we not respect Him? What does the fear of the Lord involve?

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Deutoronomy 5:29

Remember how we first heard this phrase yesterday while reading about God's law?


If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God-good!


1 Samuel 12:14

Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him.


Deutoronomy 8:6

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

Job 1:1

Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.

Deutoronomy 6:13

Fear of the Lord involves

  • keeping His commandments - explicit obedience to His commandments
  • obeying His voice - doing the right thing when His word does not explicitly guide. One example that I can think of is when Daddy asked Mommy to marry him. Nowhere in the Bible does it say "Thus says the Lord, Kevin shalt marry Jennifer." Yet, from all that God was telling me, I knew it was the right thing to do.
  • walking in His ways - showing Godly character
  • turning away from evil
  • serving Him

Discussion Questions:

  • Do you find it hard sometimes to keep God's commandments?
  • Can you think of a time when you obeyed God's voice?
  • What are some ways that you are walking in God's ways?
  • Can you think of a time that you turned away from evil?
  • What are some ways you have served God?

Inspired by Engaging With God by David Peterson, page 71

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