Fear The Lord

What does it mean to “fear” the Lord? Most people hear the phrase "fear the Lord" and get it wrong. They imagine a terrifying, shaking kind of fear, like a slave before a cruel master, or a beaten dog cowering in front of a lowlife. But that’s a misconception. We will look at two reasons or perspectives on this fear and break them down so as to be a blessing in our daily lives

Fear or Respect?

The first aspect of fearing the Lord, displayed in scripture, is of reverence and respect (Matthew 17:6 , 1 Kings 18:39).  It isn’t about running for cover. It’s about standing in awe of something so powerful, so holy, so beyond comprehension that it makes you feel covered by His grace and love. It’s the kind of fear that makes you wake up, makes you pay attention, makes you rethink everything.

God as the Ultimate Father Figure

The second aspect of this fear we are discussing is the example of a true Father. Reformed theology holds a high view of God’s sovereignty and fatherhood. He is not an absent or passive Father; He is active, present, and commanding. The fear of the Lord is not a fear of punishment like a criminal before a judge, but a child before a mighty and loving Father. A Father who disciplines out of love (Hebrews 12:6), who protects His own, who holds all authority, and yet calls His children into a deep relationship with Him.

Rant time. Our Father in heaven is the true and righteous example of what a great dad is supposed to look like. His mission is to protect His children and not condemn them. When He is angry, His anger is fixed on the things that hurt us, not at us. When He is violent, His violence is aimed at those against us, not at us. It’s wise to remember that God has designed men to be protectors, and the tools used to protect and lead can be violent and scary to children if not used properly. Those tools must NEVER be turned on them. Our children should feel safe with us, but terrified for the one who wishes them harm. Rant over. Now, on to some practical application.

Fear That Transforms, Not Paralyzes

This concept, this, fear of the Lord, is prominent throughout scripture. Look at Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” It’s not the end of wisdom. It’s the beginning. Why? Because when you grasp even a fraction of God’s greatness, you stop playing games. You stop pretending that your small ambitions, your selfish desires, your petty grudges—any of it—matters more than Him. That’s where real wisdom is.

Reverence, Not Panic

In Isaiah 6, the prophet sees the Lord high and exalted, and his first reaction isn’t, "Oh, cool, there’s God." No, he’s undone. He cries out, “Woe is me! I am ruined!” That’s not the reaction of someone meeting a soft, cuddly version of God. That’s the reaction of a man who just realized that the Almighty is more than he ever imagined—pure, righteous, and absolutely untouchable by human pride.

Yet, what does God do? Strike him down? No. He purifies him. He calls him. The fear Isaiah experienced didn’t destroy him—it transformed him. That’s the real deal.

Fear That Fuels Purpose

The fear of the Lord isn’t a prison. It’s fuel. It’s the kind of holy reverence that pushes people into action. Moses faced Pharaoh with it. David ran toward Goliath with it. The apostles stood before their persecutors and refused to back down because of it. When you fear God, you don’t fear anything else—not people, not failure, not even death.

Think about Jesus Himself. He walked in total reverence for the Father, completely submitted, yet bold beyond measure. The fear of the Lord gave Him unshakable confidence in His mission. And if we claim to follow Him, we’d better understand that same fear isn’t an option—it’s a necessity.

Choose Your Fear Wisely

You’re going to fear something in this life. Maybe it's the fear of rejection, of not being enough, of losing control. But all those fears shrink in comparison to the One who holds eternity in His hands. So, here’s the question: Are you fearing the world, or are you fearing the One who made it?