24 March Proverbs 19

The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 19 emphasises the significance of fearing God as the foundation of wisdom and integrity. It highlights that true wealth and fulfilment come from a relationship with Him. The chapter warns against the consequences of foolishness, laziness, and pride while underscoring that humility and honesty lead to a prosperous life. Ultimately, it teaches that reverence for God guides us toward wise choices and true prosperity.

Proverbs 19:23 (AMP) states, “The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.” This verse reminds us that a genuine reverence for God not only brings peace but also protects us from the evils that seek to disrupt our lives.

In Isaiah 11:2-3 (NKJV), we see a beautiful depiction of the Spirit resting upon the Messiah: “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears.” Here, the fear of the Lord is portrayed as integral to wisdom and understanding, guiding us in our decisions.

However, we must distinguish between unholy fear and holy fear. 1 John 4:18 (AMP) tells us, “There is no fear in love . But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, so the one who is afraid is not perfected in love .” This scripture emphasises that a relationship grounded in love casts out fear, preventing us from being paralyzed by dread, as illustrated in Matthew 25:25 (AMP), where the servant hides his talent out of fear: “So I was afraid , and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own.”

Holy Fear Holy fear, on the other hand, is a deep respect, reverence, and awe for God's power and authority. This type of fear does not lead to cowardice but to love and devotion. As 1 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) reassures us, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Similarly, Romans 8:15 (ESV) reminds us, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”

When we seek the Lord, He promises deliverance from our fears. Psalm 34:4 (ESV) says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” In times of anxiety, Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV) encourages us: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Furthermore, Psalm 25:12-14 (AMP) asks, “Who is the man who fears the Lord (with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with submissive wonder)? He will teach him (through His word) in the way he should choose. His soul will dwell in prosperity and goodness, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret (of the wise counsel) of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them (through His word) its (deep, inner) meaning.” This reveals that fearing the Lord leads to divine guidance and blessings.

Proverbs 14:26 (AMP) declares, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence.” The fear of the Lord empowers us, giving us strength rather than making us timid. When we truly fear the Lord, we have no reason to fear anything else. This reverence serves as the antidote to all ungodly fears, anchoring us in faith and trust in God's goodness.