Fear of man is one thing we should not have. This is a snare as per the Bible. The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25 NKJV)
But fear of God has many virtues, benefits, and many blessings associated with it.
Fear of God is associated with Wisdom. The Bible states that fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom. Here is the specific verse. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV)
God’s eyes watch over those who fear God. This implies God lovingly watches over those who fear Him. His watching means protection, provision, comfort and all these and more from the Lord of the universe, our heavenly father. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy. (Psalms 33:18 NKJV)
The angel of the Lord encamps around those that fear the Lord. Thus the person who fears God does not need to fear anyone. Why? The mighty angel of the Lord is camping around this person, that better not anyone dare touch him. Here is the verse.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them. (Psalms 33:18 NKJV)
We know that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were cast into a fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. These boys did not fear the King. They feared God. They prayed to God daily. Just because circumstances in the country they resided changed, they did not want to change their discipline of praying to God. They did not want to change their principle of bowing their head to anyone else, an idol or a king. To God alone, they bowed. The decisions were taken early on in their life. They feared God. They feared none other. God alone they feared.
But people who don’t have a standing in the true God are unstable. It can be anyone, anywhere, it can be also the King or the King-like figure in your life.
As the boys refused to bow their heads, the King was annoyed and commanded them to be burnt alive. Read the verses from the Bible.
He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”(Daniel 3:16-25 NKJV)
Wow, so awesome to understand, this is nothing but the verse we just read about the angel of the Lord encamping around with them that fear God – and being with them and protecting them. If you are still and ask the Lord to remind you about instances in your life, you would also remember specific details and instances when the Lord’s angel protected you. Persist and follow this, if indeed you are a person who fears God and you will be surprised at the faithfulness of God. The King realized his folly in not knowing the power of the God of the three boys. What he goes on to say is very interesting.
Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! (Daniel 3:28 NKJV)
What an awesome swift change in the situation.
We also know that those who fear God do not lack any good thing. Here is the verse.
Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him. ( Psalms 33:18 NKJV)
The fear of God can come in many ways, but the way our Heavenly Father intends this is a loving fear which comes from knowing about the Great Love of the Heavenly Father towards us and our love in return towards our Heavenly Father. Knowing this is a journey or rather a process – spending time in His presence, worshiping Him and adoring Him, reading the Word(Holy Bible), attending church. Having a regular discipline will hasten the growth of your fearing and loving God more and more, truely with all of your heart, with all your strength, all your life, all your soul.
Remember Father God loved each one of us so much, truely to comprehend it we need much grace, it was such that HE gave up the life of His beloved son on the cross to suffer pain, shame, humility and agony associated with crucifixion, all in spite of any sin or wrongdoing, but for our sin and iniquity. All because He loved us very much.
In John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him,and We will come to him and make Our home with him. (John 14:23 NKJV)
As we love (also fear) we will follow and keep His commands, following them since we do not want to displease Him. We only want to please Him who loved us much.
This perspective of love constraining us from doing anything contrary to God’s will is for a believer who is walking towards becoming a mature believer.
Maybe you may be a mature believer, perhaps you are a child growing in your faith, perhaps you may be both. In any case, the more you fear God, you would please God, walk obeying His will and be blessed in many ways!
God bless you.
