The fear of the Lord

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Psalm 111:10.
"The fear of the Lord -- that is wisdom." Job 28:28.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Proverbs 1:7.
…"We know what it is to fear the Lord…" 2 Corinthians 5:11.
What does this mean… to fear the Lord? It seems a very important concept. It seems at the heart of serving God. Awe comes to mind as a related word to this phrase. When you fully encounter God, how can you do anything but fall at his feet and worship?

We constantly hear that God is love. Yet love is not God. Perhaps to understand this awesome God, you must also fear Him. He asks a simple question:

Do You Fear Me?

You claim to fear Me.
To know My awesome power.
Do you truly fear Me?
Do you stand in awe of Me?

You are mere speck of cosmic dust
Insignificant and powerless.
Nothing you can do
is of slightest worth.

Is it that you know My love
and think you can betray.
Is it that you think I must forgive
but do not know My mercy and grace?

Are you prodigal come back
for the rest of the loot?
If you truly know Me
you’d know My awesome power.

My sheep hear My voice.
Do you hear Me?
If you did
you’d fear My awesome power.
© Presbypoet, November 16, 2003


Do you fear the Lord? Do you know Him?