There are several things we should not allow to fill us with fear. As faithful Christians, we should not fear condemnation because our friendship with God has been restored (Romans 8:1). We should not fear death because the sting of death is sin (1 Corinthians 15:56), and our sins have been washed away by the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:7). We should not fear the day of judgment because we have been justified (declared not guilty) in heaven’s court and perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:17).
Having said that, there is a fear we should all have—we should all be filled with godly fear.
This world is in a moral mess because too many people have no fear of God in their hearts. To fear God does not mean that we shake and quake every time we think of Him. It has to do with having respect and reverence for Him, and it is something that He is owed by all men.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Fearing God and obeying God go hand in hand. The person who refuses to obey God does not fear Him. The world is filled with people like this and always has been. Pharaoh is a great example of one who had no reverence in his heart for God. Do you remember his response when God, through Moses and Aaron, told him to let His people go? Here it is:
Exodus 5:2 (KJV)
2 And Pharaoh said, who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
This was a response of both ignorance and arrogance and one that Pharaoh would eventually come to regret. Yet, it is pretty much the attitude that the majority of people in the world have today. How about you? Do you have the proper respect and reverence for God?
It is easy to say yes to that question, but it is a little more difficult to prove it. Remember, true godly fear is demonstrated by our obedience. If we really fear God, we will do what He tells us to do at all times, not just when we like the command. A true demonstration of our reverence for God is seen when we do what He commands even if we do not want to.
Do you think Noah wanted to build an ark? Probably not. Even if he loved building things, building an ark that would be able to house all of the different animals of the earth would be a daunting task. Why did Noah do it without complaint or murmuring? The Hebrews writer tells us.
Hebrews 11:7 (ESV)
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Do you think Abraham looked forward to offering up Isaac as a burnt offering? The obvious answer is no, but he showed the willingness to do it simply because God told him to do so. He was an example of godly fear.
Genesis 22:11–12 (ESV)
11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
Let us all follow the example of these Biblical legends and obey God in all things. It proves that we truly fear Him and if anyone deserves to be feared, it is God. He is, after all, our Creator. The more fear of God we have in our hearts, the more evil we can overcome (Proverbs 16:6).
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.