Fearing God is not a popular concept. It probably sounds like something out of the past.
Actually it comes straight out of the Scripture. In the Bible it is a phrase which comes as close to describing true religion (in a very positive sense) as possible. It describes holding God in great awe and total respect.
Fearing God means you submit every aspect of your life to Him.
What are the blessings of fearing God?
Obviously, fearing God means you live in relationship with Him. Having submitted your life to God brings you into right relationship.
In the Prophecy of Malachi, God described two blessings which come to those who fear Him. These blessings look both forward and backward.
The first blessing looks forward to the time when God’s people will live with Him forever. The names of those who fear Him will be written on a scroll of remembrance. Is this an early depiction of the book of life?
It certainly means God knows and blesses those who are His.
Can anything be more wonderful than the assurance that God knows who you are and that you belong to Him?
The second blessing looks backward to the time when God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt. God made a covenant with the Israelites. He promised they would be His people and He would be their God. “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19: 5-6).
Those who fear God are His treasured possession. He delights in His people and blesses them with His presence.
To know God is to fear Him. To fear Him is to be blessed with His presence and protection. Fearing God is not cringing at what God might do but marveling in what God has bestowed upon those He loves.
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One Response
Wonderful Truths in context. I wonder about the context of Deuteronomy 15:10 recently applied. Recently a fellow Christian remarked on the 5 million annual budget of Jefferson Council on Aging (JCOA) in somewhat critical terms. The application of Deuteronomy 15:10 seems much more apropos for a context that facilitates medicine Rx, aid to the house bound, diet support, community interaction, pro-bono legal support, job retraining and placement, support to care-givers, etc. Jefferson Parish has perhaps the largest senior population in the state. The budget is public record. They have a website. I am blessed to believe, because I was told, that the efficiency of identifying needs and the disbursement of aid was improved as a result of my having served there.
Blessings