I know, that seems a bit of a confusing title to my thoughts this morning. The definition from Merriam-Webster may help clearing it up a bit.
Fear: 1 a: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger b (1): an instance of this emotion (2): a state marked by this emotion 2: anxious concern 3: profound reverence and awe especially toward God 4: reason for alarm – Merriam-Webster Online
I have to remember that there is fear and there is fear. I have to fear the LORD or have “profound reverence and awe” for Him. I have to recognize Him for who He is and know that He is greater than I and any other. I am in His world and am here to do His Will and not my own.
I also do not need to fear or have “alarm” of His reason for being here. He is great, yet there is no reason for me to worry that He will harm me. God loves me and would certainly do nothing to harm me.
“20Moses 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 20:20 (ESV)
God had just spoken to the people in a thundering voice and given them the Ten Commandments. The people were not able to see Him and only heard the thundering voice and witnessed the ominous clouds as He spoke. This would certainly instill anxiousness and alarm for me as it did for them. Yet what does Moses tell them but to “not fear” but have “fear of him”.
We have to separate the fear. There is time for reverence and time for alarm. It is up to us to make that distinction. With God, there is no need to have alarm, and we should always have reverence. So I say again as in the title of my thoughts, “fear the LORD, don’t fear Him”.
What is your thoughts on the LORD? Are you running around alarmed that your life is somehow in danger? What if you were to have reverence for Him and know that your life is just getting started with the LORD by your side?
Trevor's Thoughts 