“Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1 KJV). 62 times in the KJV, we are told to “fear not.” Fear is an emotion capable of causing great harm in humans. Our physical body can be so greatly impacted by fear, it can cause death, as witnessed by Nabal, when he found that David was coming to slay him but was intercepted and prevented by Abigail’s wise actions. Nabal’s “heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died” (1Samuel 25:37-38). Fear of God, by comparison, is a right relationship with Him, who is the source of life and the only means of escaping death. “Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread” (Isaiah 8:13). Fear of God is the positive emotion of trusting Him who is worthy of our trust. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).
Fear of the LORD
Protect Your Relationship With God
Your riches are what you value the most. Riches are kept where thieves do not break through and steal. “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20 KJV), but how and with what? A disciple listening to the voice of God in their thoughts, the “fear of the LORD is his treasure” (Isaiah 33:6). Like Enoch walking with God, he was continually laying up the treasure of the fear of the LORD until “he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). Your relationship with God is your communion with Him in your thoughts. Protect it, for Satan desires to separate you from the source of your strength and riches, as he separated Samson from his hair. Keep the conversation with God going. Think on these things.
Antisemitism Is Not New
Antisemitism is hatred of the Jewish people, but even Jehovah hates His people, when they become arrogant and sin. “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward [or, perverse] mouth, do I hate” (Proverbs 8:13 KJV). Satan especially hates the nation of Israel because God set His love upon Israel to bless them as a people representing Himself to the nations. “I say then, Have they [Israel] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them [Israel] to jealousy” (Romans 11:11 KJV).
The Beginning of Knowledge
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7 KJV). Fear is a good thing, when it keeps us from doing something contrary to our wellbeing. Jesus gave friendly advice. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28 KJV). The first truth of knowledge is fear God. That is wisdom and instruction. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 