Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
8 7 2024
What is that for you? Really? Death? Your independence? Health? Being Alone?
Most of us know the story of Job. The most righteous man, but he lost his kids, his business, his home, and his reputation. Job 3:25 says, “The thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me”
Let’s take a global look at this:
The Top 10 Fears of 2023 % of Very Afraid or Afraid (In order)
Corrupt government officials 60.1%
Economic/financial collapse 54.7%
Russia using nuclear weapons 52.5%
The US becoming involved in another World War 52.3%
People I love becoming seriously ill 50.6%
People I love dying 50.4%
Pollution of drinking water 50.0%
Biological warfare 49.5%
Cyber-terrorism 49.3%
Not having enough money for the future 48.0%
The top 10 fears in the 2023 survey suggest that Americans’ fears center on five main topics: corruption in government (number 1), (Ya think!) economic concerns (numbers 2 & 10), war and terror (numbers 3, 4, 8, & 9), the harming or death of loved ones (numbers 4 & 5),
Fearing what we Fear. We don’t like using the word fear! What has you unsettled?
I came up with a shorter personal list
A fear of failure, rejection, loneliness, change, not enough money and death—
Stop and think with me: Fear is faith in reverse or faith contaminated. Fear is when we believe our circumstances are bigger than God.
What is Godly Fear?
To fear God is to respect, honor, and submit to His direct and delegated authority.
The fear of the Lord shapes our intentions, thoughts, words, and actions.
I read a great article by John Bevere – What is Holy Fear.
The answer is deeper than most of us imagine.
Certainly not containable in a devotion and hardly even in a book.
“The fear of the Lord doesn’t drive us from God’s presence — rather just the opposite.
A good and wonderful fear draws us close to Him,
and laying this firm foundation is vital before we continue.
Limiting holy fear to only reverent worship can cause us to miss the mark and be misled.
Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. — Hebrews 12:28–29 NKJV This immediately shows that godly fear cannot be limited to only reverence;
The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines reverence as “profound adoring awed respect.”
I love these four words joined together;
stopping to ponder each one takes our understanding to another level!
The second term, Godly Fear, carries the meaning of awe. For awe’s definition I looked at the original 1828 edition of Noah Webster’s dictionary. Here’s what I found: “fear, dread inspired by something great and terrific; to strike with fear and reverence. To influence by fear, terror or respect.”
It is critical to understand that holy fear has a drawing, not a repulsive, effect.
So we must ask: Is there a positive and healthy aspect of these words?
I believe Scripture shows there is,
To fear God is to hallow Him. Hallow is defined as “to respect greatly.”
To fear God is to esteem, respect, honor, venerate, and adore Him above anyone or anything else.
When we fear God, we take on His heart.
We love what He loves, and we hate what He hates. (Notice it is not to “dislike” what He hates; rather, it is to “hate” what He hates.)
What is important to Him becomes important to us.
What is not so important to Him becomes not so important to us.
To fear God is to hate sin.
To fear God is to hate injustice.
Now let’s partially list the benefits of holy fear. Here are some of the many biblical promises made to those who walk in it.
The fear of the Lord is the starting place for an intimate relationship with God. We become His friends, and His secrets are made known to us.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. It gives foresight and clear divine direction.
The fear of the Lord is how we mature in our salvation and are conformed to the image of Jesus.
The fear of the Lord is clean; it produces true holiness in our lives.
To abide in the fear of the Lord is to secure an eternal legacy.
The fear of the Lord produces confidence, fearlessness, and security. It swallows up all other fears, including the fear of man.
Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. — Hebrews 12:28–29 NKJV
God has designed us to fear him, but if we place our fear in something other than Him,
we end up worshipping something that is not God at all.
I am trying to put into perspective what it looks like, practically, for us to esteem, respect, honor, venerate, and adore God above anyone or anything else? To Fear God… draws us to Him.
By studying his word he gives us insight, courage and clear direction.
The book of Job gives an account of a righteous man who faithfully responded to difficult trials. Job’s experience invites us to ponder difficult questions about the causes of suffering, the frailty of human existence, fear in so many things and the reasons to trust in God, even when life has taken a dark turn. God is supreme, He is sovereign. He is in control. And we must learn to respect and be in Awe of him… more than the worldly fears around us.
Excerpted from The Awe of God by John Bevere,
Casting Crowns – Great Are You Lord (Live)
