LIVE WELL
FAITH - FEAR OF THE LORD
Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom; Incline your heart to understanding. For if you cry out for insight, And raise your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And discover the knowledge of God.
3 Fundamental Starting Points of God’s Wisdom:
- There is a God and I am not Him.
- Gods’ Word is True.
- God’s Ways are Best.
Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
The phrase “fear of the Lord” occurs 17 times in the Book of Proverbs alone.
Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
Proverbs 14:26-27 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, By which one may avoid the snares of death.
Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
Proverbs 22:4 The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor, and life.
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: In scripture, fear is used to express a filial or a slavish passion. In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. This is filial fear.
Psalm 34:11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride, arrogance, the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate.
Key Thought: A healthy fear of the Lord is an attitude and posture of honor, respect, awe and submission.
Acts 2:42-43 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
The Fear of the Lord in the Early Church and Church Today:
- God’s Word: Apostles Teaching - Authority of the Word of God
- God’s House: Fellowship - The Ecclesia Gathering
- God’s Family: Breaking Bread - Community and Belonging
- God’s Heart: Prayer - God is here. God is able. God is good.
Key Thought: Fear of the Lord evidences itself in our lives when we value what He values and when we obey His ways and Word.
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.
Key Thought: Who we respect is who we submit to; who we submit to is who we receive from.
Psalm 25:14 (ESV) The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
(The Living Bible) Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.
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