Dec 4, 20233 min read

Day 230 - Why Should We Fear the Lord? Unpacking the Meaning Behind Scripture

It is right to fear the Lord to overcome Satan.

And now I come to you; and these things I say in the world so that they may have my joy complete in them.

I have given your word to them; and they are hated by the world, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

My prayer is not that you will take them out of the world, but that you will keep them from the Evil One.

They are not of the world any more than I am of the world.

Make them holy by the true word: your word is the true word.

Even as you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

And for them I make myself holy, so that they may be made truly holy.

My prayer is not for them only, but for all who will have faith in me through their word;

May they all be one! Even as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, so let them be in us, so that all men may come to have faith that you sent me.

And the glory which you have given to me I have given to them, so that they may be one even as we are one; (John 17.13-22 Bible in Basic English (BBE))

Reading this beautiful Scripture relating a conversation between Jesus and the Apostles could make you wonder why, time after time, we are instructed to fear the Lord. Do you find this troubling? Some might let this be the reason for not following God, but we should challenge ourselves if we fall into allowing fear of the Lord to become a barrier between us and God.

Fear of bad things happening to us should be replaced with faith that the Lord will protect you. To fear God is to remove the fear associated with Satan. It means we have named the Lord the only one who could permanently hurt us. If you fear and love God, repent your sins, and accept Christ, you must not fear the evil one; he has no power over you. Only God does. You are saved and safe. Fear of the Lord keeps you walking in his light. Fear of Satan brings darkness and terror into your life. Release any power you are giving Satan. Your love and fear of the Lord is your path to light and eternal safety. Fear of God saves. Fearing the Lord will keep you from disappointing God and yourself with sin.

Prayer:

Jesus, you spoke so eloquently about how God loves us because God loved you. You prayed for us and our well-being before we were born. You gave all power to your Father, our Father, and then shared that with humanity. Through these words, I understand that evil truly has only the power I give it. When I refuse to give God's power to Satan, I am not bothered by it. Instead, your love radiates through me, and fear of evil leaves me. My remaining fear is related to being what I can be for God. I do not want to fail or do less than I should and could to bring the kingdom of God on earth to a better place. Lord, use this fear to propel me forward to help me reach the people and places you call me to. I am yours, safe in your arms forever and thankful. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen