The Only Fear You Need

Fearing the Lord is one of the most important principles of Scripture. But in order to understand what it is, we must know what it isn't. According to Author Joy Dawson in her book Intimate Friendship with God, fearing God doesn't mean being afraid of Him.

Instead, fearing God involves (1) having God's attitude toward sin, which is to hate it (Proverbs 8:13) and (2) showing proper respect for God's holinee, His power, and His sufficiency to meet our needs (Psalm 33:8-9).

When we fear the Lord in those ways, we no longer need to fear anything else. For we are

• Protected: "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them" (Psalm 25:12).
• Given wisdom: "Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose" (Psalm 25:12).
• A friend of God: "Friendship with the LORD is reserved for those who fear him. With them he shares the secrets of this covenant" (Psalm 25:14).
• Secure in God's love: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him" (Psalm 103:11).
• Provided for by God: "Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing" (Psalm 34:9).
• Satisfied: "The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil" (Proverbs 19:23).

"Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands"
Psalm 112:1