True fear of the Lord causes believers to place their faith and trust in Him alone for salvation. For example, after the Israelites crossed over the Red Sea on dry ground and saw the enormous destruction of the Egyptian army, they “feared the Lord, and believed the Lord,” (Ex 14:31). Similarly, the Psalmist calls on all who fear the Lord to “trust in the Lord: He is their Help and Shield,” (Ps 115:11).

In other words, the fear of the Lord produces in God’s people a confident hope and trust in Him. Little wonder then that such people are saved (Ps 85:9) and receive His forgiving love and mercy (Luke 1:50; cf. Ps 103:11; 130:4).

(4) Finally, to fear God involves recognising that sin has serious consequences and that both in time and in eternity God has the power to punish those who break His righteous laws (cf. Ps 76:7-8). When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they were afraid and tried to hide from God’s presence (Gen 3:8-10).

Moses experienced this aspect of the fear of God when he spent 40 days and nights in prayer on behalf of the sinful Israelites: “For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the Lord was wroth against you to destroy you,” (Deut 9:19).

Similarly, in the NT, immediately after acknowledging God’s coming vengeance and judgment, the author of Hebrews wrote: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” (Heb 10:31).
Reasons For The Fear Of The Lord

In keeping with the meaning of the fear of the Lord are the following reasons for fearing Him. (1) We should fear Him because of His authority as the Creator of all things and people (Ps 33:6-9; 96:4-5; Jonah 1:9). The fact that God’s awesome authority and power continue to be exercised over the elements of creation and over the human race is sufficient cause for fearing Him (Ex 20:18-20; Eccl 3:14; Jonah 1:11-16: Mark 4:39-41).
(2) The holiness of God and his separation from and constant opposition to sin and unrighteousness should cause us to fear Him (Rev 15:4).
(3) The universal judgment of God at the end of history should cause us to fear Him who judges all injustice and inequity (Deut. 17:12-13; Is 59:18-19; Mal 3:5; Heb 10:26-31).

It is a solemn and Holy truth of Scripture that on the day of final judgment every person will give account to God for his or her actions and the stewardship of life (Eccl. 12:14: Rom 14:10, 12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev 20:12-13).
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4) God has promised to bless and honour all those who fear him. “Humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life” (Prv. 22:4).

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