What is “God fearing” and How does the fear of God manifest in my life? 519-1 - 5 - 2

As an aside, when considering the expression "the fear of the Lord" two other terms come to mind, “The Day is Near” and “The Day of the Lord.” Throughout the Old Testament warnings of this day is given by a number of the prophets. Our awesome God is a loving God, however, he is also a righteous God and will not permit sin into His presence. Nevertheless we are promised 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

I work at being humble, praying, and seeking His face, and turning from any and all wicked ways. And always having oil in my lamp for fear of missing out when the bridegroom comes.

Searching Scripture helps me in understanding the term “God fearing.” Proverbs is rich with admonitions. Proverbs 2:5, “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”

Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” This is not fear in the usual sense rather it is having a right relationship with God, of being absolutely in awe of God, holding him in complete respect and being obedient to His will.

A few more verses in The book of Proverbs that refer to the fear of the Lord are 2:5, 3:7, 9:10, 10:27, 14:26 and there are several more.

Job was schooled by God; Job 28:28, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

In addition to having a sense of awe and knowledge and understanding of God, I’m aware of the many warnings of coming judgment. Warning passed on by Isaiah, Joel, Ezekiel, Job and more. Isaiah 2 speaks to judgment beginning in verse 1 with “a rod out of the stem of Jesse” and in verse 2 “knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” With thanks to Strong’s H3374, here fear is infinitive; morally reverence; dreadful, exceedingly, fearfulness.

Last year and in another class I was responding to a question concerning “the fear of the Lord.” This brought to mind the famous sermon by the fire and brimstone preacher from the 1700s Jonathan Edwards; “Sinners in the hands of an angry God.” In today’s Church of the Laodicea’s, this sermon would likely be considered unacceptable and certainly not PC.

I've listened to this very visual sermon which is more than 40 minutes in length. It should “Put the fear of the Lord” into anyone hearing it. Rev. Edwards reminds us that we are held by a fine thread above Hell. Only the hand of God holds us securely if it is His desire. Thankfully I know from Ephesians 2:8 that it is by grace that I’m saved through faith; and that not of myself, rather through the gift of God.