What does it mean to fear God?

Welcome to the column “Daily word for spiritual strength”!

Today I would like to complete our discussion about searching for a goal of our life, and how we can find true happiness under the sun. We observed Solomon who measured long and burdensome way looking for his happiness and satisfaction.

Thanks God for having it written for us, so that we can avoid the mistakes Solomon mentions in the book of Proverbs. Solomon has understood that life without God is an absolute illusion, but happiness without God is a mirage. This is what he writes as a conclusion to his book:

«This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgement, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.» (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

According to Solomon the purpose of our life and its satisfaction are connected to God and our relationships with Him. If we think that living in this world without God is possible (just like Solomon presumed), such way of life will be very difficult and, anyway, each of us will come before God to give an account for his life.

What does it mean to fear God?

It means obeying His commandments, knowing who is the real Boss on the top of everything. Fearing God means the acknowledgement of His strength, His magnificence, His power, His holiness and therefore, respect and honour Him.

Fear of God is a kind of salubrious fear, not a kind of phobia people needing a psychiatric treatment have. Fearing God we understand that He is going to judge us for our sins and it impacts our deeds.

«and he said, “When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool; if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive. It happened, because the midwives feared God, that he gave them families.»(Exodus 1:16, 17, 21).

Why does God wants us to fear Him?

When we fear and honour God we realise that we are accountable before Him as His creatures. We are accountable before God for every single minute and day of our life.

«Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement.» (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

Fear of God releases us from all kinds of phobia, it makes our life really enjoyable. Fear of God brings wisdom to our life.

«The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.» (Proverbs 1:7).

Fear of God helps us to obey His commandments. Our success in this life is directly connected to our ability to fulfil God´s instructions. Quite often people think they are wiser than God, so they think they need no guidance nor instructions from Him. That´s why such people are affected by their own wisdom, achievements and wealth. That´s why they often ignore God´s wisdom. Though, when we obey God´s commandments we do what the God tells us to do. Solomon came to the conclusion, that loving God, pleasing Him, fearing Him and obeying His commands is the most important thing in his life. This is the goal of our life. Living this way we will enjoy happiness, success and wisdom. We won´t be burdened by any other kind of fear. Let God helps us to build our life full of values discovered by Solomon in his life.

«This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgement, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.» (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Be blessed! Rufus Adjiboye, pastor