Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

FEAR GOD

March 30, 2009

To fear God--not a common topic these days, and I'm not sure how well-received the thought would be by Christians, let alone, non-believers.

Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes. - Ecclesiastes 7:19 TNIV

Surely we aren't to be afraid of God? Surely the word "fear" means something other than to tremble, or to be apprehensive in the presence of the deity? Truth is, to fear God means something more earthy than respect or to revere, though it includes these; it means literally to shake in our boots. So, yes it does mean to be afraid, very afraid.

In C.S. Lewis' masterpiece, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first-time visitors to the strange new world, Narnia, ask the locals about this lion they've heard about, about Aslan? "Is he safe?" To which the local nearly shouts back, "Of course he isn't safe! But he's good." Lewis teaches us here about God, as does Ecclesiastes. To fear God truly is the beginning of wisdom. God isn't safe, but God is good!
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson