This year I’ve been doing the Bible Recap by Tara Leigh Cobble. I started on January 1st and so far, I’ve only missed one day (which I quickly caught up on). I use the plan on the Youversion bible app which helps keep me accountable and means I can have the chapters read to me if I prefer which I usually do because my brain doesn’t function well first thing.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CSB
The Bible Recap is a chronological read through of the bible and has recaps of the chapters read each day. I just started Proverbs the other day so I’m a good way through the Old Testament and I was convicted. Big time. God absolutely called me out through Proverbs 1 and 3 so I have to face the truth. Proverbs 1:7 showed me that the attitude I have towards God needs to change, it could be worse but needs to be better. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminded me that I need to fully surrender and trust God, I can’t have the tiniest bit of control because it shows I don’t trust God. I need to surrender my future and not trust my own understanding.
God is so loving to gently direct us back to Him when we start to go astray. His conviction is greatly needed as we all too easily fall into sin or get distracted. God is so patient and merciful, how grateful I am for it. Let us pray for an open and discerning mind so we may recognise His voice when He speaks and accept the truth.
WHAT IS THE FEAR OF THE LORD?
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 CSB
Proverbs 1:7 really got me thinking what does it mean to fear the Lord? I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve learned this and forgotten it again. This time I started wondering this before I even finished the chapter. I have the She Reads Truth study bible which contains devotionals and conveniently there was one on the fear of the Lord. This devotional described fear of the Lord as holy reverence, in other words awe, wonder and worship.
But still I wanted more information. More knowledge on the fear of the Lord. I wanted detail. So, I opened up my favourite commentary – Enduring Word. It confirmed that the fear of the Lord is the reverence due to God, the respect and honour that He deserves. It also said that the right relationship with God is the key to wisdom.
Diving a bit deeper I unearthed more. The fear of the Lord changes according to context, it can mean fear and awe of God as in His nature, His power and majesty. It can also mean fear, awe and respect of God and the relationship humans have with Him. It is kind of scary just how little we know of Him because He is incomprehensible to our minds. But we know the important stuff and that’s what matters.
But in the context of Proverbs 1:7 fear is a motivator. The reverence of God is the reason we do anything, our ‘why’ and Proverbs teaches us how to live it.
Our fear of the Lord, our reverence praises and honours God.
HOW DO WE FEAR THE LORD MORE?
If you’re like me and you’re realising you’re lacking reverence for God, lacking awe or respect. Hope is not lost. I may not have the awe for God that He deserves but I’m certainly grateful to Him for allowing this to happen, so I was inspired to write this post and perhaps help someone who reads it. Nothing is a coincidence, everything is divined by God even if it doesn’t seem like it.
So how do we get back to fearing the Lord as we should?
It’s pretty simple actually. Whatever just came to your mind is probably right. To fear the Lord as we should begins with getting back in His Word.
SPEND TIME IN THE WORD
“Establish your word to your servant, to produce reverence for you.” Psalm 119:38 BSB
Spending time in His Word, meditating on scripture reveals God’s character and works to us which helps us develop a greater reverence for Him.
PRAY
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 BSB
Prayer helps us nurture our fear of the Lord, as we pray and ask for guidance, we align ourselves with God’s will. Being grateful to God for what we have, what He has given us also helps us to give Him the reverence He deserves.
WORSHIP
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Psalm 95:6-7 NIV
Worship is an expression of our love and reverence for God; it helps us to focus on God’s majesty.
OBEY
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.” Deuteronomy 10:12-13 NIV
Fearing the Lord requires our obedience, when we live according to His Word and are obedient to the calling, He has placed on our lives we live in fear of Him.
REFLECT ON GOD’S CREATION AND GLORY
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1 NIV
When you look out on this world God created do you truly take it in? Do you notice the details? When we take the time to appreciate creation we cannot help but feel awe for God. He is the greatest artist ever!
FELLOWSHIP
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
Living in community with other believers helps us be obedient to God. The encouragement and support we find in community reflects God’s love for us. Fellowship shapes our fear of the Lord through the support we receive.
REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 NIV
Without repentance and confession trying to cultivate reverence for God is pointless. As this verse in Proverbs 28 says the one who hides their sin does not prosper. God wants us to succeed but He knows that we need to be honest and confess our sins, more than that He wants us to actively change our habits to be more God-pleasing. This begins with confession and is followed by repentance which won’t happen unless we humble ourselves before God.
HUMILITY
“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honour and life.” Proverbs 22:4 NIV
We must humble ourselves before God daily, we do this by submitting to His will and listening to His Word and convictions. We must recognise our limitations and realise that we do depend on God for everything.
These seven steps help us to develop reverence for God. When we have a healthy fear of God our relationship with Him is naturally stronger and deeper which is what we should all be striving for.
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