The phrase “fear of the Lord” is one of the most repeated statements in the Bible.
Today let’s look at how the fear of the Lord sets us free from our personal fears.
The fear of what if always comes to mind when our Lord asks us to go public with our faith in Christ alone by faith alone. We overcome the fear of what if when our fear of the Lord is greater.
When Jesus cried out, “‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me (Matthew 27:46)?’” it's because the sins of the world, including yours and mine, were placed on Him. God’s full anger and wrath over sin was poured out on Jesus instead of us. Understanding the fury Christ endured personally allows me to trust in God’s acceptance and love for me no matter what.
Our personal fears have been paid for and conquered by our beloved Savior.
God is not angry anymore. Why? Because Jesus took all the anger that God the Father had for my sins and your sins and paid for them fully. Now the love of God flows freely.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8
God has spoken.
This fear of the Lord that gives us victory over personal fears results from an awe
of our Lord God Almighty. That awe comes from encountering Jesus Christ’s love that paid it all—our sin for His righteousness, our eternal life for His trip to Hell, our union with God because Jesus paid it all.
In Psalm 86:11, David writes, “... give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Jesus had a perfectly undivided heart, and His daily driving agenda was to drink the cup the Father gave Him.
Every word in the Bible is the word of truth delivered in perfect love. When our Lord speaks, you will either esteem your relationship with God most and evaluate everything in its light, or your relationship with something else will define your reality.
“Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.” -Proverbs 14:26-27
Yes, the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.
One way I cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord is to think of God’s presence in my every thought and action. With this understanding in mind, His holy presence serves as the restrainer of my sin when I am tempted and the forgiver of my sin when I fall short.
The fear of His presence and knowing His power and love is what helps us choose righteousness over unrighteousness, life over death, and joy over happiness.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” -Proverbs 9:10
Our trust in who God is and what God says leads to a life lived in righteousness and everlasting joy.
To get devotionals from East-West's founder sent to your inbox weekly, sign up below!