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 deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
—Ecclesiastes 12:13–14

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
—Psalm 34:11

Fear came upon every soul.
—Acts 2:43

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The Fear of the Lord
By Jennifer Kane

Do I view God with reverence, or treat Him with casual ways?
The end of all things is spoken: to fear Him and all my days obey.
For every secret deed is weighed, His justice will not bend;
Reverence shapes the path I walk, beginning to the end.

Do my choices reflect His holiness, or do I drift aside?
David called, “Come, children, learn the fear of the Lord Most High.”
Keep lips from lies, turn from evil, do good, seek peace, pursue—
Holiness shines in living light, in all I say and do.

Am I more afraid of people’s words than of disobeying God?
The crowd may mock, but His truth stands, unchanging, deep, and broad.
At Pentecost, fear filled each soul, His Spirit burning bright;
A trembling awe, a holy flame, that turned hearts toward His light.

So I will not fear the face of man, but bow before the Lord;
Not terror’s chain, but awe-filled love will guide me by His Word.
His presence draws me close each day, His mercy holds me fast;
The fear of God—my strength, my song, my wisdom to the last.

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Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 12:13–14, Psalm 34:11, Acts 2:43

“Fear God”—the phrase can sound unsettling at first. Should we be afraid of God as if He were waiting to strike us down? Or is this “fear” something deeper and richer?

The Bible describes two paths to understanding the fear of God: it can be taught, or it can be caught.

Caught: Adam and Eve’s first experience of fear in the Garden was not instructed but felt after disobedience. They hid, ashamed, because they realized the cost of ignoring God’s word. Likewise, Noah “moved with holy fear” (Hebrews 11:7) as he built the ark, understanding God’s power and judgment firsthand.

Taught: David said, “Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Psalm 34:11). He wasn’t teaching people to cower, but to live in awe-filled reverence. He continued, “Whoever of you loves life… keep your tongue from evil, turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:12–14). To fear the Lord is to respect Him so deeply that it shapes how you live.

The Jews on Pentecost already knew this teaching. When the Holy Spirit came with power, “fear came upon every soul” (Acts 2:43). This was not terror but holy reverence—a trembling awe at God’s majesty, mercy, and judgment.

At its core, the fear of the Lord means:
Living with awareness of His holiness and justice.
Turning away from evil because we know He sees every deed.
Standing in awe that the Creator invites us to walk in His ways.

True fear of God is not dread that pushes us away from Him but reverence that draws us near. It’s the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and the foundation of obedience.

The healthy fear of God does not enslave us—it frees us. It teaches us to walk in wisdom, to live in integrity, and to love what God loves.

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Father God, teach me the true fear of You—not terror that hides from Your presence, but reverence that draws me closer to Your heart. Help me to walk in awe of Your holiness, to obey Your commands with joy, and to remember that You see every word and deed. May my life reflect the honor You deserve. Thank you Jesus, Amen.

August 25 2025