All the blessings seem to revolve around Fear of the Lord:-

WHAT IS THE FEAR OF THE LORD?

All generations say we have lost the fear of the Lord. We must be careful we do not misunderstand what it means to fear the Lord.

• Not Terror. Not called to be terrified of God. God is not nasty and vicious.
• Not mere Outward Behaviour. We make it cultural. Kneeling down; quiet in church. Dress. Not outward things only. That was the Pharisaical problem.

• Healthy Fear. Pilot takes flying seriously. Not flippant.
• Inner Attitude of Heart. Deep sense of respect. Awe…ful. Being in awe.
• Beginning of wisdom. Ps 111:10.
• Beginning of knowledge. Prov. 1:7. Knowledge of God.
• Way of life. Acts 9:31…Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

This Psalm says it brings a life of happiness.

Fear of God is an internal attitude with external consequences. Walk in his ways.

 

HOW DOES IT SHOW ITSELF?

• Fear of God takes away other fears

Fear the Lord means you become fearless. Takes away fear of men.

Luke 12:4-7…fear not him …kill the body…Fear God and nothing can harm you…fear nothing else. Thomas Watson:- Christians fear God; non Christians fear men, immature Christians fear God and man.

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

• Fear of God causes us to submit to God’s reign

Pharoah… Egypt …plagues. Moses prays that it will go away…You do not fear God.

Ex 9:29-30…Moses replied, "When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's. But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God."

• Fear of the Lord shows itself as we declare War on Sin

Fear of the Lord will keep you from sin. Ex 20:20…10 commandments.

Fear of God causes us to see our sin. Ps 36:1-2…An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.

Causes us to hate evil…Prov 8:13…To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

• Fear of the Lord causes us to Evangelize

2Cor 5:11…since we know…we persuade men. Not bull at a gate. Win them…give a reason for your hope you have.

 

HOW DO WE GET IT?

• Don’t pretend; psyche it up…
• Get to know God…greatness…glory…humility…justice…Jesus. Look up!

Goodness…came to save… Calvary. Know God in Jesus…grace…objects of his wrath…co-heirs…

Prov 2:1-5…My son, if you accept my words

and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom

and applying your heart to understanding,

and if you call out for insight

and cry aloud for understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.

• Not fatalistic…may you see prosperity…pray for the blessing.