THOSE WHO FEAR GOD

If you fear humans and circumstances more than God, it proves you are yet to know the same God I know.

Several words used in the original texts of the Bible, which King James translated as 'fear,' are more accurately reverence or even adoration.

It is a state of awe of God, His works, mercy, love, beauty, wisdom, riches, agelessness, power, ability, depth of compassion, long-suffering, vengeance and retribution, so much so that you shrink progressively the more you're exposed to His presence.

This fear is only experienced by those with an accurate view and experiential knowledge of Him.

'He (the king of the North or the devil) will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him. ' - Daniel 11:32 (NLT)

Those who know God like this, or better still, who have been allowed to experience a bit of who God is, fear him deeply. Individuals who fear God this way relate to men, no matter their status, based on what God says.

'Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ' - Romans 13:7-9 (KJV)

The Hebrew sons, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, respected King Nebuchadnezzar. They honoured him, but when it came time to choose between him and God, for them, it was an effortless choice because they knew how mountains melt at God's command, how whole nations burn to ashes at his word, and how the entire Egyptian army was buried in the Red Sea in the twinkle of an eye. So, in comparison to whatever God can do to the disobedient, Nebuchadnezar's worst punishment pales into complete insignificance.

They also knew, accurately and experientially, the scope and intensity of His reach and ability to deliver and change any circumstance. So, the greatest king on earth's promise appeared like whistling in a hurricane compared to whatever reward their faithfulness to God would yield.

Their decision was easy.

Daniel chose the lion's den, knowing it would be like a spa day compared to the alternative if he disobeyed God.

When you form the habit of leaving the trending news long enough to come away by yourself and ask God to make His person known to you through His word and the revelation of His actual role in historical events, God will begin to fill your heart with such awe that will bring your trust in Him to a whole new level, so much so that you'll quickly try out more of His promises for size and the more you do the word and the more personal evidence of his fidelity and integrity you amass, the more you fear Him.

Those who fear God this way walk in levels of faith that can't be explained but experienced, as was the case of these Hebrew children referenced above.

'Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope? ' - Job 4:6 (NLT)

'“Is not your fear of God your confidence, And [is not] the integrity and uprightness of your ways your hope? ' - Job 4:6 (AMP)

I pray God will bring you into his confidence at this level, and your heart will yearn for more of Him until all this world's punishments and rewards fade into oblivion in Jesus' matchless name.

#Amen