Scripture of the Week

Colossians 1:28

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

  The first two definitions of fear in my English dictionary are: 1: A feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, etc; dread, terror, fright, apprehension. 2. Respectful awe; reverence. When reading Gods Word it is important that we distinguish between the two. Directing our thoughts to God should not cause anxiety or agitation. Rather, we should be awestruck and reverent as we consider Him. The fear of the Lord is not like the servile dread of a slave toward a harsh master, but rather more like the loving awe and respect of a child for a caring and responsible parent.

  I think Oswald Chambers must have had these two definitions in mind when he wrote The remarkable thing about fearing God [usage 2] is that when you fear God [usage2] you fear [usage 1] nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God [usage 2] you fear [usage 1] everything else. (This kind of word play using the same word with different meanings in the same sentence is called more formally antanaclasis or word-clashing.)

  I have heard from two people in the last two days who expressed fear concerning their personal safety due to the announcement of possible terrorist attacks. They had believed before that because they were members of a certain group and donated 20% of their income, they were guaranteed Gods protection. However now that they were no longer participating in that organization their previous teaching was causing them to be alarmed.

  It is our reverence for God allows us to live free from fear of evil. There are no guarantees in life other than that God will absolutely keep His Word. Our reverence for Him and our awe for His Word bring peace in the face of any assault or terror.

Proverbs 19:23:
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

  Lets read that verse in other translations to really drive it into our hearts:

Proverbs 19:23: NIV
The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Proverbs 19:23: NAS
The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

Proverbs 19:23: NRS
The fear of the LORD is life indeed; filled with it one rests secure and suffers no harm.

Proverbs 19:23: LXX in English
The fear of the Lord is life to a man; and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.

Proverbs 19:23: NLT
Fear of the LORD gives life, security, and protection from harm.

  We can expect God to take care of us because He loves us. Walking by the spirit, operating manifestations can keep us out of any disaster. Remember, we walk in grace. Our love and protection by God does not come from our works, but rather by His abundant grace in Christ Jesus. Don't be concerned about "your believing, you have the faith of Jesus Christ. Don't let your heart condemn you or cause you to worry either, because God is bigger than your heart and He knows all things (I John 3:20). God is for His children.

Psalms 56:9-13:
When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
¹⁰ In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
¹¹ In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
¹² Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
¹³ For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

  The entire Psalm 118 would also be great to read along this line especially verses 6-17.

Hebrews 13:5,6:
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what
man shall do unto me.

  God is big enough to take care of us. We are His beloved children who reverence Him. Like it says in Proverbs 14:26, In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

  Just what is the fear of the Lord?

  But, what about the day in time in which we live. After all things have changed since September 11^th.

Isaiah 33:6:
And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

  There is so much more we could get into regarding the fear of the Lord. It goes a long way and has quite an impact when it is present.

Proverbs 15:16:
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Proverbs 16:6:
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Proverbs 22:4:
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Acts 9:31:
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

  We just read that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. That Hebrew word translated beginning indeed has the primary meaning of "first" or "beginning" of a series, but it may also refer to a foundational or necessary condition. It is used frequently in the special sense of the choicest or best of a group or class of things, particularly in reference to, items to be set aside for God's service or sacrifice. (TWOT)

  Our fear of the Lord provides the foundation on which our knowledge and wisdom are built. Of all knowledge and wisdom available in the world day the choicest or best has it foundation in a reverence for the Lord God Almighty. When we fear Him, there is nothing else in life we need to fear.