Fear God

Ecclesiastes 12:13; I John 4:8, 18

I notice quite often how afraid people are. This fear manifests itself in the form of unrest. People are always worried about something. Another way of saying this is that they have no peace. As crazy as this sounds, their fear is rooted in the fact that they do not fear appropriately. They place their fear in the wrong things instead of the right Person.

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Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

I John 4:8

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.

I John 4:18

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As we saw in the last devotion, we are to fear God. The word fear in Hebrew can literally mean terror or dread. It can also mean reverence. In this case, what Solomon intended was reverence; both are applicable. Those who know Christ as their Savior should reverence God, and, therefore, keep His commandments. Those who do not know Jesus as their Savior should be terrified of God because He will be their Judge, and their guilt is already established.

Since people do not know the God who is Love (I John 4:8), they do not know the peace that comes from His presence. Therefore, they live in fear. One fear replaces the other fear. The one who fears God rests in the assurance that He cares for them and will see them through their difficult times. The one who does not fear God, fears everything that might bring them into His presence for judgment.

When we fear God, his love casts away our fear (I John 4:18). No, this is not an immediate and final action, but it is one that we learn and trust as we get to know God better. The more we pray, study the Bible, and place our faith in God, the more our fears fade away. As we walk with God, even the thought of death no longer scares us. This is why the Psalmist could say "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4). When we fear, it is because our reverence is not in the right place!

God, help me to reverence You with my thoughts and life. May I know the peace that comes from walking closely with You. There is so much that goes on in this world. There is so much that could go on in this world. Strengthen my faith to always believe that "thou art with me".