Fear

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.
– Psalm 111:10

There are some ideas that our culture embeds within us as we move through childhood into maturity. Especially as a male, fear is often portrayed as something to be overcome. Our society might suggest that fear and manhood do not coexist. No boy wants to be thought of as someone who suffers from fear. We would rather be seen as courageous, like REAL men!

We should ask if this line of thinking can arrive at a logical end. Are fear and courage mutually exclusive? Is fear always a bad thing? Philosophies may differ, and I have no interest in resolving those differences. Still, I do suggest that fear, in some cases, is a good thing. Imagine the machismo of one who says, “I fear nothing!” That person may not fare well if left among lions, tigers and bears. It can be called a healthy fear that keeps us from clear and unnecessary danger.

This leads us to clarify exactly what is meant by fear. In one sense it can mean fright or terror. It is our reaction in theaters when the axe-wielding hockey mask-wearing bad man bursts into view. Scenes like that are meant to frighten us. (And if you’ve been in that situation, don’t complain: you paid for it!) However, this is not the only connotation of fear. Fear can also mean reverence, a reasonable response to something that strikes awe within us. It is this fear that the psalmist commends as the place where wisdom begins.

There is a beautiful dynamic held in this framework. Some might argue that we have no reason to fear God, and that a God who wants us to fear Him is no God to be worshipped. If that sounds convincing, consider this. If God is not awesome enough in your sight to strike reverence within you, I suggest you have not considered God in the way He is revealed in scripture. The narratives of the Bible show us time after time that men and women of courage fall to their knees when in the Divine presence. So yes, there is plenty of reason to have reverence for God. And again, to suggest that God’s desire for us to fear Him leaves Him unworthy of worship is missing the mark. In fact, it is the opposite that is true. If God did not want us to fear Him with a healthy fear, it would mean that God has no regard for our relationship with Him. God knows very well what Psalm 111:10 tells us; the beginning point of wisdom is the reverence of the Lord. Why? Because those who have a good understanding of God, and implicitly themselves, are those who are motivated to live according to the commandments of God, and thus know the rich blessing of godly life.

The writer of Hebrews (10:13) tells us “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” If one is falling into His hands for judgment, then yes. That should indeed strike terror in our hearts, for we would all stand guilty of sin and deserving of its death penalty (Romans 3:23; 6:23). However, it is also a beautiful thing to fall into the hands of a merciful God, for we know that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Fear awakens us to our hopeless state without a Savior. It also maintains our joyful gratitude once we stand in the hope of our Savior.

Never be averse to the call to fear God. Reverence will tune your heart to sing His praise.