To Fear God Is A Choice

The Fear of the Lord is a good choice. 

The importance of fearing the Lord has strong ramifications for our lives. 

The first commandment of God is to have no other gods before him. 

It is a choice to fear the Lord moment by moment and in daily reverence. It be hooves us to learn and seek the fear of the Lord. God promises that if he is the #1 priority in a life then that life will:

- not be visited by evil

- will abide in satisfaction

- will possess riches, honor and life. 

- will have a place of refuge

- will have eternal life

- will be secure

- have a hope the extends beyond the grave

- experience a blessed and happy family

The key to a perfect heart is the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord will produce continual cleansing of the heart. 

2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him."

When a soul fears the Lord the whole heart is focused on pleasing the Lord in all areas of life, and there is no turning back from a total commitment in seeking God. Every issue is perceived from God's perspective. All bridges that could cause a soul to walk away from the Lord are removed. Those bridges of public opinion, self interest, and sensual indulgence are unreliable and can not cultivate the fear of the Lord.  

Jeremiah 17:5-10 says, ""Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."”

What are 4 ways to cultivate the fear of the Lord?

1. Make a definite personal choice of taking the course to enter the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 1:28-30 says,"“Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, and would have none of my counsel and despised all reproof." This means we must respond to the invitation of the Lord to reverence him when we can. Don't wait to respond to God's call today. 

2. Accept counsel and reproof from the Holy Spirit. Psalm 34:11 says, "“Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." Listen with the ears and eyes of your heart. Line up with the priorities of the Spirit. 

3. Accept teaching from God's ministers. Men of God's choice who build up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4: 11-12 say, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Be teachable by the pastors and elders God has established for the body of Christ. Submit to them who are exemplifying the faith.

4. Accept teaching from God's Word. Proverbs 2:1-5 says, " “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Verse 1 = Receive and treasure; Verse 2 = Incline your heart; Verse 3= Cry out for; Verse 4 = Seek as for lost treasure; Verse 5= Receive the fear of the Lord!!