By Ron
Bartanen
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7).
If memory serves me correctly, I learned in
school that there are only two innate fears—fears with us from birth—and these
are the fear of falling and the fear of loud, sudden noises. However, as we
experience life, more fears accumulate.
We find ourselves beset with fears relative to our health, our financial
state, threats of terrorism, and even what are perceived to be unwise decisions
by officials in government. It was not
Solomon’s intention to add yet another fear to the growing list when he wrote
the words at the head of this article. Rather, it is to be viewed as a
reverential fear, an acknowledgement of the majesty and power of our Creator,
in whose presence we stand in awe. It is
this “fear” that will drive away all other fears. It is related to the love of which John
wrote—a love that “casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18). The “fear of the Lord” is a reverential trust
that will drive other fears out of our lives.
The most fearful situation in life is to
find ourselves going our own way, without God’s fellowship. It may not be in the way of outright
rebellion against all that is righteous, living a life of wantonness and
drunkenness. It may simply be to live
life without acknowledgment of God. We
may live our lives without ever getting cancer or heart problems and we may
live our lives so that we are financially successful; but to live our lives
with the seeming absence of God is more fearful than the worst of physical or
material calamities.
And what is to be gained by an awesome
respect for God, His word and His judgment? Much in every way! The fear of God
enables us to face life and all its fears, and even death itself, with a
confidence that is unshakeable. Hebrews
2:15 reminds us that while we were once in bondage to fear—in particular the
fear of death—Christ came to deliver us.
It is as someone once said: “There is much in the world to make us
afraid. There is much more in our faith
to make us unafraid.”
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