I. A real fear that leads to obedience.
Most people emphasize a reverent awe of God, but that reverent awe is actually secondary, not primary. Exodus 20:20; Deuteronomy 5:24, 28, 29;
God wants us to recognize the awesomeness, the certainty of his judgement.
II. An awesome reverence that leads to worship.
Psalm 22:23 When we see how awesome God is, it moves us to praise Him.
III. How to acquire this fear.
Either you don't understand who God is or you don't have a conscience awareness of God's presence in your life. Every time God spoke to people, they had fear. What God is looking at is, are you obeying me? are you loving me?
1. Jeremiah 32:39-40 It is implanted by asking God.
2. Deuteronomy 13:19 It is learned by studying His word.
3. Psalm 34:11 It is taught.
4. Proverbs 1 It is chosen. You cannot have it unless you want it.
5. Proverbs 2:5 It's sought.
Q. What's the best way to describe the fear of the Lord to a child?
A. I use an illustration of an interstate cop. When someone sees a cop, he suddenly experience fear, so he slows down to see if he's doing right. When we become aware of God's presence, it makes us check to see if we are doing right.
Q. What if you have had a violent parent. How do you have a proper fear of God?
A. A lot of people have thought if you had a bad dad you can't have a proper fear of God. I don't agree with this. However, if someone has had a bad father, they have to come to scripture and see what God says about them. It says He loves them and has invested His son in them.
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