VOICE OF TRUTH FOR TODAY
Fear of the Lord
For years, I struggled with the phrase “fear of the Lord.” As a child, I knew fear intimately. Because of the evil I endured, I once questioned whether a loving God could even exist. So when I eventually encountered my Heavenly Father’s love and began reading Scripture, I was confused. How could God tell me to fear Him while inviting me to rest safely in His arms?
As I studied Scripture, I discovered that biblical fear can carry different meanings. One is dread. Another is reverence—a deep respect and awe.
Slowly, I understood.
God wanted me to grow in reverence for who He is, respect for His power, and confidence in His love. “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility” (Proverbs 15:33, KJV).
As my knowledge of God grew, so did my reverence. I realized that His boundaries aren’t designed to harm me. They’re given for my good.
That reverence also changes how I treat people.
When God places someone in my life who is annoying, exhausting, or completely different from me, I have a choice. I can avoid them—or love them as God commands, praying for them, seeking understanding, and meeting them with truth wrapped in grace.
What if the person I avoid is the very person God intended me to reach? My fear of the Lord must become greater than my fear of people. Obedience may cost comfort, friendships, money, or opportunities. But God remains my provider, and I can trust Him with the consequences.
Someone once asked whether I was prepared to die for my beliefs.
My response? Death is easy.
The difficult thing is living for Christ every day.
So perhaps the question isn’t whether we fear God.
It’s which fear will influence today’s choices: Fear of man? Or reverent awe of the God before whom we will one day stand?
May we choose Him.
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Excerpt from Voice of Truth Magazine
“Love Like Jesus” by Dee Miller