Proverbs 1:7 (ESV) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

What is it to fear the Lord? It is at least, but not limited to:

a. To fear His GREATNESS. To be dwarfed in His presence. To face endless, infinite perfections. To think of Him in terms of His massiveness, incomprehensibility and power.

b. To fear His JUSTICE. To know and feel that in His holiness, sin MUST be judged, and it will be – in perfection.

c. To fear His FREEDOM. That His divine rights of Creatorship are absolute, and constrained by nothing but His own nature and will. Psalm 130:4 (ESV) “But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.”

d. To fear LOSS of Him. To be separated from Him is death in every conceivable way.

e. To fear His DISPLEASURE. Not as to fear a harsh master, but to disappoint the most loving, tender and perfect Father.

To be truly over-awed at Him for who and what He is. Father, give me this fear, and the infinite joy it begets.