Fear Part 4: March 17, 2011

MARCH 17, 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MARCH 17, 2011.

FEAR
PART FOUR

DEFINITION:

An emotion of dread or apprehension; profound reverence and awe toward God.

SCRIPTURE:

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 11 Corinthians 7:1.

How joyful are those who fear the Lord. Psalm 128:1

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

For the last three days we have looked at the word “FEAR” as it relates to our individual lives. We looked at how we face fear as individuals. We looked at some of the “THINGS” that cause us fear. And yesterday we looked at destructive and constructive fear as it relates to our lives.

Today we look at GODLY FEAR! Godly fear is not dread or apprehension nor is it the fear we feel at times of danger. Godly fear is awe and reverence of God because God is Holy and all powerful. Godly fear brings joy to our lives. Proverbs 1:7 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom to those that believe on His name. Godly fear not only brings knowledge and wisdom but it makes us hate evil and helps us to be righteous, holy and reverential. When we have a Godly fear in our lives we know that fearing the Lord is righteous, (Psalm 33:5) holy (the verse above), and reverential (Hebrews 12:28).

Down through the ages there have been men who have changed history because they were God fearing men. In the Old Testament there are wonderful examples of how God worked through those who feared God. These men accomplished great things for the Lord because they feared God.

• Noah and his family were saved from the flood because they obeyed God.
• Abraham became the father of a great nation because he feared God and responded to His call.
• Joseph became a leader in a foreign nation and saved his family from starvation.
• Moses led the children of Israel out of bondage from Egypt.
• Joshua led two million Israelites to the Promised Land.
• David conquered nations and was the greatest King of Israel.

To fear the Lord is to stand in awe of Him and to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24) and to serve God acceptably and with reverence. This is what the great men of the Bible learned and lived by daily in their lives. Is there Godly fear (awe and reverence) in your heart? These statements from scripture will help you evaluate if you live with a Godly fear.

• If we who say that we are believers say that we have fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and walk in darkness (un-confessed sin), we lie and do not practice the truth.
• If we walk in the light as He is in the light and have fellowship with other believers and God we are in His righteousness. Godly fear that makes us righteous can only be known by those who have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
• If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us of our sins and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Godly fear will cause you to search your heart every time you read the Bible and go to Him in prayer. If you find sin in your life then judge it, confess it and forsake it.
• Godly fear can also help you to resist temptation in your life. This is why the Psalmist has said “Let all the earth fear the Lord.”

LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 33:8:

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

PRAYER:

Thank You that the scripture reminds us that Godly fear brings joy to one’s life because it is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge that keeps me from sin. Help me to live as the Psalmist tells us when he wrote: “Rejoice in the Lord. O you righteous.” Keep me close to You with a Godly fear so that I can serve You with all of my body, soul and heart.