This is certainly a neglected sense in my life and perhaps in yours as well. Proverbs 15:33a says, “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom…” and 2 Corinthians 7:1 says, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
Where is fear? Do you and I really “fear the Lord?” Wilhemus A’Brakel (1635-1711), a Dutch theologian, in his A Christian’s Reasonable Service wrote,
It is not sufficient to be on guard against the sins which are contrary to the fear of God; rather, it is our great duty to conquer them all by the fear of God. The livelier the fear of God is, the less sin will have any effect. Therefore in the future commit yourself fully to tenderly fear the Lord your God in order that the fear of God may guard you and direct your thoughts, words, and deeds. Oh, if only I could make you more lively in this! Give careful attention to the following incentives; may you be tender and pliable.
First, does not God have all the perfections within Himself which are able to engender reverence? He is majestic, glorious, omnipotent, holy, good, and awe-inspiring; that is His nature. How can anyone therefore be in the presence of God without fear and reverence? Consider what has been expressed in the Word of God: “Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exo 15:11); “That thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD” (Deu 28:58); “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods” (1Ch 16:25); “O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God” (Neh 1:5). His wrath upon the sinner is dreadful. “Who knoweth the power of Thine anger? even according to Thy fear, so is Thy wrath” (Psa 90:11). His goodness begets reverence in order that He may thus be feared in love. “But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared” (Psa 130:4). Is it not proper, becoming, and requisite that you, having been created by God and having received grace from God, fear this majestic God and tremble before Him?
Secondly, the root of the matter is indeed in you. You desire it and you cannot hear the fear of God mentioned, or your heart is inclined to it and your desires are stirred up. Why would you subdue this desire? All that has a principle of life is desirous for growth and perfection—which is thus also true for you in this respect. It is indeed natural if a servant fears his master and a child his father. You have chosen the Lord to be your Lord, and has not He given you the Spirit of the adoption of children and set you among the children? Have you not entered into covenant with Him that He would be a God unto you and that you would be the recipient of His favor? This must stir you up to fear your Lord and your Father. “If then I be a Father, where is Mine honour? and if I be a Master, where is My fear?” (Mal 1:6). Acknowledge this relationship and it will beget filial fear in you.
Thirdly, the fear of God is the fountain of all the holiness which delights you. Sinful lusts will lose their potency, corruptions which surface will readily be subdued, you will be stopped in the middle of sinning, and you will find yourself inclined toward the practice of all manner of virtues. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Pro 9:10); “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom” (Pro 15:33); “The fear of the LORD is clean” (Psa 19:9); “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life:” (Pro 19:23); “…perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2Co 7:1).
Fourthly, the Lord has pleasure in those that fear Him. It ought to be a very precious matter to us that God is pleased with us. It ought to be our great desire and earnest endeavor to be pleasing to the Lord. God is, however, pleased with the fear of God, for therein the acknowledgement and the glorification of His perfections coalesce. “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him” (Psa 147:11). How lovely it is when man delights himself in God and when God finds pleasure in man!
Lord give us a biblical fear. Read more on the fear of God by Wilhemus A’Brakel here.
April 30, 2008 at 8:54 am
Great to see you quoting from a Dutch theologian, Les!
In a study I did on fear of the Lord, I think a good, comprehensive definition would be “a reverential posture toward the Lord God that results in comprehensive obedience to him.” It is an incredibly holistic way of understanding our appropriate response to a holy God.