Spiritual Maturity Step 2: Fear the Lord • DDCommunity

Be Happy Fearing the Lord

How happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You will surely eat what your hands have worked for. You will be happy, and it will go well for you (Ps. 128:1–2 CSB).

Wait! What? I can be happy fearing the Lord? How is that possible?

Understand Fear

The concept of the fear of the Lord is a difficult one to grasp. But I have gained a more accurate perspective of it by considering electricity. Our family has a significant connection to electricity because my dad was an electrical engineer. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, or power generation equipment. Electrical engineers also design the electrical systems of automobiles and aircraft.”[1] My dad specifically worked with radar systems for aircraft.

My Uncle Dwight (my dad’s brother) was also an engineer who worked for NASA. He was a very intelligent man, but he died at the age of 44 because he was electrocuted when his ladder came in contact with power lines. This incident caused the generations to fear electricity. But my dad taught us a healthy respect for electricity.

Is Fear Bad?

Parents of young children are always extra vigilant to watch for metal objects too close to electrical outlets and little ones near hot stoves. We try to instill a healthy fear of electricity in children. But we don’t want them to be afraid of turning on a light switch because we love electricity even though we are fearful of it!

When I Googled “How do I get over my fear of electricity,” I learned that electrophobia is the irrational fear of electricity. But commentators on Reddit added: “Don’t get over your fear of electricity.” “Never lose your fear of electricity; it is dangerous. Become confident in your knowledge. You will make mistakes but learn from them.”

Similarly, we should never get over our fear of the Lord. You, You indeed are to be feared, and who may stand in Your presence, once You are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still when God arose to judgment, to save all the humble of the earth (Ps. 76:7–9 NASB). For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Rom. 1:18–20 NASB).

Do I Need to Fear Punishment from God?

When I confess my sins and enter a relevant relationship with Jesus Christ, I no longer need to fear the punishment of God. Jesus Christ willingly sacrificed His perfect life on our behalf so that we may receive His gift that frees us from God’s wrath.

Therefore, we live in right standing with the Father because of our relationship with His Son. Our fear changes from fear of eternal punishment to fear of displeasing our Father and breaking fellowship with Him. Instead, we gratefully yield our will to His perfect plan for us.

Appropriate Fear of the Lord

If we truly “fear” the Lord, we acknowledge from our hearts that he’s the Creator, we’re the creature; he’s the Father, we’re his children; he’s the Master, we’re the servants. It means respecting God for who he is, listening carefully to what he says, and obeying his Word, knowing that our disobedience displeases him, breaks our fellowship with him and invites his chastening. This is not the servile fear of the slave before the master but the reverential and respectful fear of the child before the parent.[2]

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name (Ps. 33:18–21 ESV). The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1 ESV) He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me (Ps. 144:2 ESV).

Everyone Should Fear the Lord

Nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory (Ps. 102:15 ESV). For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all the ocean depths (Ps. 135:5–6 NASB). So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives (Isa. 59:19 ESV).

The mystery that gives us our reverence for God is acknowledged to be great: He appeared in his human nature, was approved by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was announced throughout the nations, was believed in the world, and was taken to heaven in glory (1 Tim. 3:16 GW).

More Steps to Spiritual Maturity

Dive deeper into As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father 10 Steps to Spiritual Maturity with these posts:

As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father Cover

Discover the heart of childlike faith! As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father by Melanie D. Lewis is available as an ebook and course through DDCommunity Institute.

Grow deeper in your walk with Christ. Learn how DDCommunity Institute equips Christian leaders for transformative ministry.

[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm#tab-2

[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Transformation Study Bible (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2009), 1038.

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