There is a lot of confusion around the concept of fearing God. Throughout history God has both expressed acts of love and of punishment. Just as parents who discipline their own children because they love them, God also disciplines His children (us) because He loves us. One developes a healthy fear of the Lord by first admiring God’s wonder.
Genesis 1:1 NIV
[1] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.1.1.NIV
God didn’t just create the heavens and the earth, He created all life within it. Life so complex that it is impossible to have happened by accident. He made us adaptable and resilient with intricate life support systems both in ourselves and in the environment around us.
Psalms 104:24-31 NIV
[24] How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. [25] There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. [26] There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. [27] All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. [28] When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. [29] When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. [30] When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. [31] May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works—
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.104.24-31.NIV
Ever wonder why bugs are attracted to light? Even the insects look for the light in the darkness. Jesus said I am the light in the darkness.
John 8:12 NIV
[12] When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.8.12.NIV
Admiring God’s wonder builds reverent fear for God. A respectful fear of knowing that God is both greater and mightier than you. The second key is getting to know God’s love. When you first encounter God’s love, it is hard to handle. Those who have not known God may be afraid of this love because they have never felt it before, be it that they grew up in a broken home without parents that loved them or perhaps they lost their parents at a young age and lived most of their lives in and out of foster homes. Either way, the love of God is so strong that it builds our inner conviction.
Think of a time in your life when you let someone down you care for. Think about how you felt. This feeling is called conviction. It is a necessary feeling so it helps you remember the feeling so you don’t keep repeating that same let down. When you build love for Jesus you feel bad when you let Him down. This conviction is part of the fear of the Lord. It is a healthy feeling, in fact, if you don’t feel this inner conviction you should stop and ask God, is what I am doing grieving you Lord? And most importantly, repent and ask for His forgiveness. Jesus loves us deeply and he can remove our sins as far as the east is from the west.
Psalms 103:12 NIV
[12] as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.103.12.NIV
To sum it up, we build a healthy fear of the Lord by building a relationship with Jesus. Jesus is the only way to the Father so by building a relationship with Jesus, He brings us into the throne room of God and in turn we build a close relationship with our Abba Father, God in heaven. We do this by starting in the Word of God, reading it and praying for revelation. God’s Word says we should pray without ceasing. What does this mean? Does it mean that we stay in our prayer room all day? No, it means that we can talk to God all throughout the day, we don’t have to limit prayer to the closet! I say this in hopes that you now have a better understanding on how to build a healthy relationship and fear of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
[16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
https://bible.com/bible/111/1th.5.16-18.NIV
