Focused by Fear

Many years ago, we cared for John (not his real name), who was a foster child in our home. That little boy was fearless. Because he could not, or would not recognize dangers, big or small, we had to constantly monitor him. Despite our best efforts, he was constantly injuring himself, with falls, scrapes, and burns. Fear serves a very useful purpose in our lives, helping us to avoid harm and/or to respond to potentially dangerous situations with strength. When we perceive a threat, our muscles tense; perspiration flows, as a rush of adrenalin prepares the body for fight or flight. It can happen in a moment. Then, too, there is the kind of 'fear,' more of a stress response actually, that helps us to focus our efforts. After years of preaching, I still experience tension on Sunday mornings. Both physically and emotionally I become focused before I stand up to speak to the congregation. I tune out most distractions, forget about aches or pains, and prepare to do what is important for that moment.

Take a look at what David wrote about those who lose their fear of God. "Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good." (Psalm 36:1-3, NLT) Like little John who did not perceive the danger of a hot dish or an open stairway, those who lose their fear of God do not grasp that their choices are bringing destruction and death their way. Proverbs reminds us that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." (1:7, NIV)

Some of you are thinking, "But isn't God a loving Father?" Yes, God is gracious,loving, and "patient ... not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, NIV) But He is still God, always just, and perfectly holy. Those who abuse His grace and refuse His mercy, will be disciplined and, if they persist in disobedience, destroyed. A high view of God's attributes is important to building a deep love, faith, and trust in Him that creates a desire to live a holy life before Him.

Have you ever watched a weak, ineffective father try to provide guidance to his children? In that situation, even a little child quickly realizes that his Dad is all talk, no action. That two year-old will throw a tantrum, slap, kick, and be generally obnoxious for he has no fear of parental authority. Watching a parent who has lost the respect of his children saddens me for inevitably the results are not good! Am I making a case for child abuse, for a father's roaring rage? Of course not! A father gains respect by being fair, firm consistent, and willing to take action. In the long run, children who live in a home where there is that kind of discipline need less correction, for their 'fear' of the parent is a deterrent to disobedience. There is less nagging, less stress, less yelling where loving parental authority has created deep respect. A good parent projects wisdom that invites their child to submit to their guidance. Early, the wise parent teaches their little one to trust and obey, because that is the best way to avoid danger and harm.

The parallels to the Christian life are many. If we Believers are taught only the grace of God, if we only learn of Jesus, as our Friend,but not as our Lord; we will lose the awe and respect that motivates us to subjugate our will to God's will. We will see no need to let God own us (a definition of being holy) because we will trivialize His demands. Passages like Isaiah 6 need to be read often to help us to understand the majestic 'otherness' of God, that He is not a man! The prophet wrote: "I had a vision of the Lord. He was on his throne high above, and his robe filled the temple. Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more. They used the other two wings for flying, as they shouted, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord All-Powerful! The earth is filled with your glory." . . . Then I cried out, "I’m doomed! Everything I say is sinful, and so are the words of everyone around me. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord All-Powerful." (Isaiah 6:5, CEV) The LORD did not abandon Isaiah to that despair. He cleansed him of his sinfulness and commissioned to go out powerfully under the Spirit's anointing with a message of hope and restoration to the people.

Is your God big enough to fear? Is He worthy of awe? Is He able to guide and keep you?
The God of the Scripture is all that and more, much more! The better question is, do you know Him in His fullness, or have you only glimpsed a part of Who He is?
Recover a true fear of the Lord based on the full revelation of His nature and character in the Word. No, that will not be a terror that makes you cringe and hide. Rather, you will feel a deep sense of awe that causes you to tremble, to love Him, to serve Him in holiness.

Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on this truth today.
"Have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness." (Hebrews 12:5-10, NLT)