What does it mean to fear God?

ByPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

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

Similar Posts

  • The more we collaborate with God, the more prophecies we will see fulfilled

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    What does it mean to be stirred? When such things happen due to the changes taking place in people and through people the latter can´t remain indifferent to God any more. Nowadays people live wrapped in their problems, immersed in their own world, as though there is no God at all. They use some duty phrases in their speech like “For God´s sake”, “Thanks God”, but there is no God in their hearts at all. It happens to them just because they have never experienced the real God in their lives. God is a care taking father. Such people have not felt how real the God is, how powerful and Almighty Creator He is.

    What does it mean to be stirred? When such things happen due to the changes taking place in people and through...

  • You make room for Him and His Word in your daily schedule

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” According to the above passage, there is a process or protocol we need to follow if we want to see and experience the manifestations of God in our lives and in ministries. Now it is true that God is an omnipresence God. He is present everywhere at the same time. However, it is important to note that his presence is more real and felt in some places than anywhere else. What determines such a big difference? This is what I mean when I say we need to follow a protocol. Following the right protocol is what differentiates between the intensity of God’s manifest presence in our lives, home and churches.

    “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father...

  • Preparation of the way of the Lord III

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    We have established that God only comes when we have prepared the way for Him. We can do that by ministering to Him and fulfilling His calling in our lives. We pointed out that we have to use all possible means to preach the Gospel of Kingdom in this world, because that is the necessary prerequisite for the Coming of the Lord in glory and power. Let’s look at one more verse from the Scripture that talk about preparing the way of the Lord.

    We have established that God only comes when we have prepared the way for Him. We can do that by ministering to...

  • Jesus and God´s will

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    esus is our model in everything. He is the Author, the Master and the Maintainer of our faith. Therefore, Jesus set an example for us, so that we can follow his steps. «For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps» (1 Peter 2:21). From the very beginning of His life on this Earth Jesus was clearly aware of His goal. He was extraordinary passionate to the business of His Father in His Spirit. There is a story from Jesus childhood in the Bible, it tells us how He was growing and becoming strong in spirit

    esus is our model in everything. He is the Author, the Master and the Maintainer of our faith. Therefore, Jesus...

  • If you want to enjoy God’s favour you must develop Godly character

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    We have found how the law of sowing and reaping as well as and our gratitude works to release the power of God’s favour in our lives. The last point i will like you to pay attention to is how a person’s character can slow down or speed up the favour of God in his or her life. If you want to have successes with God or with people you should become a person of Godly character.

    We have found how the law of sowing and reaping as well as and our gratitude works to release the power of God’s...

  • Forget not all His benefits!

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    Many of us do not thank God as we ought to, because we do not purposely keep in mind what God has done or is doing for us. We forget because we do not write it down. When I was a teenager, we often sang a song that said: «Count your blessings! Name every one of them, one after another, and you will be amazed at what the Lord has done!» I advise every one of you to record every miracle and every blessing that God does in our lives. You can use different methods: either modern technologies or simple writing.

    Many of us do not thank God as we ought to, because we do not purposely keep in mind what God has done or is...