Daily Prayer - The fear of the Lord

Good Tuesday morning, my friends. 

"Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, 'You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.' 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." Exodus 20:18-20

What does the Bible mean when it says "fear God"? 

 

I have heard many times that the word translated as "fear" is more like "reverend awe" than "shaking in your boots", but when I read of encounters people had with God in the Bible I do not see reverend awe.  These people fall flat on their faces, terrified.  They recognize how utterly unholy they are as compared with the beauty and majesty of the one true God.  Just think of the words of the prophet Isaiah upon seeing God: "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." (Isaiah 6:5).  Or how about the apostle John: "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead." (Revelation 1:17).  It sounds to me like there is a whole lotta shakin' goin' on, not just "reverend awe".

 

We also tend to downplay the judgement of God.  We love to quote "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11) but how often do we hear "I will keep my eye on them for harm and not for good" (Amos 9:4)?  The "them" He speaks of here are the Israelites, the chosen people, who have disobeyed Him.

 

Our God is to be feared, and obeyed.  However, when Isaiah and John recognized and feared the One they encountered, they were picked up, dusted off, and told NOT to fear!  When we recognize God for Who He truly is then He reveals that He is on our side!  This incredible, all-powerful, all-knowing being is for us, and not against us!  How great is that?

 

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours!
Bruce

 
Father, I pray that You might enable me to have such a grand vision of You that I might fear You, that I might tremble in Your presence.
 
Help me to see that You are not merely a Redeemer but also a Judge; not merely a God of love but also of holiness.
 
Help me to fear sin not just because of its consequences but also because it grieves Your heart.
 
As your son/daughter, I pray that I might "Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling" as we are admonished to do.
 

What I pray for myself, I also pray for _____ and ask that they might fear You just as a son or daughter fears a Father who both loves and disciplines, a Father who extends mercy but also judges.
 
Above all, may they fear You because they love You and seek to please You through Jesus Christ.
 
May the fear of the Lord keep them from sin, and in turn the grace of the Lord keep them walking in obedience,
 
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
 
(http://www.moodychurch.org/news/prayer-fear-lord/)