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G God, fear of
What exactly is the "fear of God"? You may have heard that expression before and misunderstood it. When we talk about the "fear" of God, we're not talking about you and me cowering in a corner, terrified of the Lord. We're not talking about the need for people to tremble before the terrible wrath of a judgmental heavenly ruler. Or about the fear that an oppressed people experiences under the grip of a dictator. Nor are we talking about the fear that a generation of Americans felt as we lived under the uncertain shadow of Cold War.
No, this word "fear" is a positive thing. Not something that makes one cower, but something that makes one courageous. Leading us to honor God rather than hide from God, respect Him rather than run from Him, causing us not to be afraid of Him but to be available to Him. It's "fear" as in "respect," "fear" that's a recognition of both the judgment and the justice of God.
An overly strict, uncaring, harsh high school principal might instill the "terror" kind of fear in his students; but a principal like Joe Clark, the inner-city school administrator portrayed in the movie "Lean on Me," who's strict yet caring, just but personal, who demonstrates through his strong hand of discipline an unprecedented depth of love for his students that kind of principal can instill the "respect" kind of fear in his students. This is exactly the kind of discipline and care which God has extended to us these Hebrew midwives recognized it even though God had yet to really reveal himself on a personal level to all of the Hebrew people; and we God's people who have experienced His love on a personal level by all means ought to recognize it.
Topics/Tags: God, fear of
Mysophobia is fear of "dirt."
Hydrophobia is fear of "water."
Nyclophobia is the fear of "darkness."
Acrophobia is fear of "high places."
Taxophobia is fear of being "buried alive."
Xenophobia is fear of "strangers."
Necrophobia is fear of the "dead."
Claustrophobia is fear of "confined places."
Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the "number 13."
Unfortunately, many people have learned to fear things that they probably shouldn't have, yet they've never learned the fear of God.
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
Source: Robert G. Lee, SERMONIC LIBRARY, pp. 46-47.
Topics/Tags: Fear; God, fear of; Submission
Browse By Topic G God, fear of