The Fear of God

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” (Proverbs 1:20-33 ESV). I am afraid that we have often misunderstood the concept of “the fear of the Lord.” There is a dichotomy in the Scripture concerning this principle; however, to ignore it in favor of a concept that does not include the awful consequences of ignoring God’s direction will bring nothing but destruction. It makes us vulnerable to the world without God’s strength and power. William D. Eisenhower puts it this way in his article 'Fearing God" in Christianity Today: Unfortunately, many of us presume that the world is the ultimate threat and that God's function is to offset it. How different this is from the biblical position that God is far scarier than the world …. When we assume that the world is the ultimate threat, we give it unwarranted power, for in truth, the world's threats are temporary. When we expect God to balance the stress of the world, we reduce him to the world's equal …. As I walk with the Lord, I discover that God poses an ominous threat to my ego, but not to me. He rescues me from my delusions, so he may reveal the truth that sets me free. He casts me down, only to lift me up again. He sits in judgment of my sin, but forgives me nevertheless. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but love from the Lord is its completion. I think we begin by understanding to fear God is not to be afraid of him. God’s first word to us is always, “Do not be afraid.” Though facing God can be terrifying. Fear is the proper human response in the presence of God. Fear means we understand who we are and who we aren’t, as well as who God is. The fear of the Lord means living in a proper relationship to God. Eugene Peterson says fools “thumb their noses at wisdom.” Fools don’t get it; they don’t realize there is more to life than what they can see, taste, smell, touch, and hear. It is foolish not to know we ought to tremble and be on our knees when we come into the presence of God. This is the first step to Jesus’ grace. Have you taken that step? Solomon says that’s the beginning.