The Fear of the Lord

Psalm 25:12-22 There are many benefits that come to those who fear the Lord. This passage lists only a few of them. What does it mean to fear the Lord? The fear of the Lord is an awesome respect that causes us to honor and worship the Lord with all of our being. When we fear the Lord, we will desire to walk in His ways. The good news is that all those who fear the Lord will be taught the ways of God.

The children of Israel did not have the fear of the Lord in a perfect way when they exited Egypt. They did not understand the ways of the Lord. Only Moses seemed to have this understanding, and it was because he obeyed God. The children of Israel had to wander in the wilderness for forty years because of their disobedience to God. God offered the Promised Land to them and told them they could go in and possess it, but they doubted His word. They became fearful. One of the main manifestations in a person’s life who does not fear the Lord is fear of many things (fear of the future, fear of the unknown, fear of failure and hurt, etc.). The children of Israel feared all of these things instead of fearing the Lord. Even after seeing the mighty works of the Lord, like the parting of the Red Sea, they still were fearful. They only knew God’s mighty works, but they had no understanding of His mighty ways. God was able to teach Moses His mighty ways because Moses had an obedient heart.

This psalm tells us that the promise to those who fear the Lord is that their soul shall dwell at ease and their seed will inherit the earth. What a great benefit, but there is even more promised in this psalm. Those who fear the Lord will know the Lord’s secrets, and His covenant will be revealed to them.

We live in a society now where the fear of the Lord is not taught. People have lost their awesome respect for God. Could it be many have no fear of the Lord because their hearts are not obedient? God gave instruction to us to have no other gods before Him and to love Him with all of our hearts and minds. We live in a land now where the majority are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Thank God there is a remnant left who still fear the Lord. I pray you are a part of that remnant, and if you are, you can look forward to being taught of the Lord His ways.

When we know His ways, all fear leaves.

Lord, help me today to fear You with all my heart. I want to know Your ways, not just Your works in my life. When I come to know Your ways, I will not have to fear anything because I will be assured that You desire only for my good. I do not even have to fear what man would do to me, because I know You are my shield and my salvation. Teach me Your ways, O Lord, and help me to walk in Your truths. Unite my heart to fear Your name, and I will glorify You today and forever.

READ: Exodus 12:14-13:16; Matthew 20:29-21:22; Psalm 25:12-22; Proverbs 6:12-15