Let’s Look Like Jesus: Holy Fear
This series of articles, “Let’s Look Like Jesus” complement the perpetual prayer list for Christian Character.
Holy Fear is actually the antidote to the horrible fear immobilizing so many in the world today. Fear is a common part of our world; in fact, sometimes it seems fear makes the world go round.
Proverbs 28:14 challenges us though: ‘happy is the man who is never without fear.’ The words stop me as all of the foolish fears of life eddy through my mind: the fear of aging and infirmity, the fear of disappointing or offending others, the fear of failing, and the fear of shame. The list is endless of those things that we can fear. Yet, those are the fears of evil which destroy life. Dr. Caroline Leaf explains the deadly impact of fear-based thinking in this brief video:
Clearly the wise writer of Proverbs spoke of fears which lead to blessing and life. There is a reverent fear…an awe…which protects from evil and leads to life. There are earthly things which inspire a reverent fear. Electricity is one. We often take its power for granted but unleashed electricity is indeed a fearsome, deadly force. The wind is another. At times it is a gentle, refreshing breeze and others a destructive force beyond the control of our best efforts.
The only fear, though, that leads to happiness is awe of our eternal Creator. As a Christian, holy fear is that aspect of our character which flattens us before our mighty God. It is the reverent awe of lying prostrate before the King of Kings which transforms a child of God. It is an attribute of great value in the character of a child of God.
With reverence and fear as an integral trait, we will not only read the Word of God, we will seek to see it become alive in our relationships with others. We will take His Word not only as our standard but as the reality in which we long to live. Our choices will never become completely perfect…our humanity is not eliminated as the character of Christ controls us more fully. Less of us and more of Him is a life-time process.
Fear of God, though, will lead us to trust in His design, to obedience to His ways. His blessings will overflow into the details of our days. Our lives, and the impact of our lives, will reap eternal rewards with a heart that is humbly reverent. Rejoice today in trusting submission to the Creator…in laying before Him every worry and care knowing that He can and will bring good!
Heartsong Ministries 