The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.” (Prov. 15:16 ESV)

The “trouble” riches bring

Many believe having a lot of money would solve their problems and make them happy. But they don’t understand the problems that come along with wealth. Studies of people who suddenly come into wealth show the opposite: it causes more problems than it solves. Most who have won the lottery say it ruined their lives as well as those of their families, and they wish they never had won. The Bible has a lot to say about the trouble that comes along with it.

“But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Tim. 6:9-10)

“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matt. 19:23-24)

This is better

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” (Prov. 22:1 ESV)

“The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Prov. 10:22 NLT)

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8)

Therefore

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21 emESV)

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5 ESV)

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;” (Prov. 3:9)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God

“You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.” (Psalm 115:11 ESV)

God’s Provision and Protection

Two things mentioned in the above passage for those who fear the Lord, are God’s help and shield. The word “help” represents God’s provision and the word “shield” represents God’s protection. Even though there are many of Bible verses about God’s provision and protections, here are three each that define both of them.

• God’s Provision:

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 ESV)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 ESV)

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 ESV)

• God’s Protection:

“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” (Psalm 81:4 ESV)

“My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (2 Sam. 22:3-4 ESV)

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exo. 14:14 ESV)

Therefore

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8 ESV)

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.” (Psalm 5:11 ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.” (Acts 9:31 NLT)

Over the last few days, we have discovered many wonderful benefits connected to the fear of the Lord, but we have barely scratched the surface. According to the above passage, here are four for the church: peace, strength, encouragement, and growth. Let’s look at what the Bible tells us about each one.

·      Peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

·      Strength: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31 ESV)

·      Encouragement: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,” (Rom. 15:5 ESV) 

·      Growth: “Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47 ESV)

Therefore

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” (Prov. 22:4 ESV)

Humility and fear of the Lord

The passage at the top states that there is a favorable reward for humility and the fear of the Lord: riches, honor, and life. This is for both now and later. It’s now because of God’s law of reaping and sowing (Gal. 6:7) that you will reap the results of living that lifestyle. And it’s later when He comes again, bringing rewards (Rev. 22:12).

“The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” (Prov. 15:33 ESV)

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV)

Therefore

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” (Col. 3:12 ESV)

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6 KJV)

And finally

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God

 “By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.” (Prov. 16:6 ESV)

A few days ago we read in Proverbs  8:13 that the fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil. Today we learn that the the fear of the Lord turns us away from evil. It’s good to know that God turns us away from what He says He hates. He even tells how it happens, “By steadfast love and faithfulness, iniquity  is atoned for.” That’s the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,” (Gal. 1:4 ESV)

We do not fear evil because God is with us!

“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:3-4 ESV)

Therefore

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Tim. 4:18 NIV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!” (Psalm 31:19 ESV)

Gods abundant goodness is stored up for those who fear Him. Of course we know that God is good all the time. And all the time, God is good. We joyfully say that to one another. It’s His nature to be good and it is evident in His love for us through Jesus Christ.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 ESV)

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7 ESV)

 Therefore

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!” (Psalm 27:13 ESV)

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:13 ESV)

The dictionary defines compassion as a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for other people’s suffering and a desire to help. The word compassion itself derives from Latin and means “to suffer together.” 

Jesus demonstrated compassion

“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” (Matt. 14:14 ESV)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4 ESV)

Therefore

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32 ESV)

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Col. 3:12-13 ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” (Exo. 20:20 ESV)

When the “fear of Him” is before you, as said in the above passage, it keeps you from sinning. We see an example of this in the life of Joseph when Potiphar’s wife attempts to seduce him. He refuses her and says, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.” (Gen. 39:9-10)

The key is to constantly draw near to God

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV) 

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 ESV)

Therefore

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 20:18-22ESV)

The Fear of the Lord is a profound reverence and awe towards God 

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1 ESV)

Yesterday, we looked at our being clean before the Lord through what Jesus did for us on the cross. We are clean because the blood justifies those who believe in Jesus. Romans 5:8 says, “… while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.“ His blood sacrifice made it as though we never sinned. The next verse, Romans 5:9, confirms that we are justified by His blood. Therefore, when God looks at us, He sees the blood of Jesus covering us, not our sins.

But that doesn’t mean we have nothing to do

We must do everything we can as followers of Christ to “cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

We live a clean and righteous life here on earth. It’s a lifelong process that is not complete until we are finally with Jesus. And God will help us.

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6)

Therefore

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5 ESV)

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Gal. 5:16-26 ESV)