What is the Fear of God? -Part 1-

Exodus 20:18-21

The People Afraid of God’s Presence

“Now all the people witnessed the thundering’s, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.“

As you reflect on this question, What is the fear of God? take some time, and put yourself in the shoes or position these people were in, what would you do? How would you respond?

Do you know it’s no different today.

The bible says

Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. I believe if Jesus is that – forever the same, so is the trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

For when you are perfect what adjustment is needed?

Everyone has a view, the people viewed the Lord one way and Moses viewed the Lord in another way.

One view point distanced and one view point drew closer!

This fundamental truth “How do you view the Lord”? will affect ones walk with the Lord. So is your view that He is close or He is distant? I’ve tried both.

If we look at our walk with the Lord going forward from this place, we start to see a remarkable thing. It was this, the people’s faith was not growing but diminishing, BUT at the same time Moses’s faith was growing and strengthening. Why was that?

Because the way you see or view the Lord will determine the faith you have with Him.

Think of it this way:

The WAY we SEE the Father will ultimately DETERMINE our DESTINY!

If we truthfully know and believe He Loves us unconditionally, is FOR US and will do anything in His power to see us succeed in having a love filled and abundant life! Then we have everything needed to see this come to pass, and our faith will grow and strengthen.

But if we see the Father as one that controls, punishes and is angry with us, then we will never reach our true potential, our faith will diminish and weaken.

The level you go to in your relationship with God will be to the proportion of how you see Him.

I used to see the Lord as controlling, and ready to punish me when I slipped up. This distorted view of Him, only made me more distant from him as it did with the Israelities.

Over the years thankfully, I have discovered this is an outright lie! When I replaced the lie for a truth my whole world changed! This is what Holy Spirit so desperately wants to bring as the word says “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”. Hallelujah.

If the Lord is good, faithful, loving then what is there to fear?

For as it says in the scriptures PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT ALL FEAR!

Application:

Take your time, to ask the following questions and record all the answers given to you

1. God what does ‘to fear You’ mean to me?

 2. God does my view of You draw me closer in or further from You?

3. God would you give me an image and a word for how You see me? Maybe draw what you are given

 4. God would you show me any areas of ‘fear’ in me? 

 5. God what would you like to replace those areas of ‘fear’ in me with?

 6. Choice time – if you want to lay down your fear (what He revealed to you) simply pray Father I choose to lay down these fears (…) and today I pick up the truth that You showed me (…) and I declare that You are Good, Faithful and So loving Father to me Your child.

Father God, thank You that Your love drives out all fear, and as we know the truth about ‘what the fear of the Lord’ means we are set free to see and love You with all our being. Thank You that faith grows and strengthens in us as we trust, rely and are steady in You. Would You draw us closer to You today and to Your heart so we can hear You. In Jesus name. Amen.

Craig and Winnie Patten

Itinerate Pastors/Apostolic Leaders

Encounter Ministries