WHO DO YOU FEAR?

By Jay Pearson

 

I once heard someone ask a group, “Who do you fear?” One man in the group answered that he feared poverty. Another said he feared dying. And another he said he feared God. Someone in the group jumped on that and said he didn’t fear God because God was a God of love, forgiveness, and passion. They only reverenced him but did not fear him. I thought that to be a very sound answer at the time. Time has since chiseled in me a different conclusion and perspective.

In 1989-1992 Louisiana State University graduated a basketball player who went on to be a first round draft pick and successful player in the NBA from 1992-2011. His name was Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq was 7’ 1” in height and 325 pounds the heaviest man to play in the NBA at that time. He was very mobile and strong. I respect him very much and am in awe of his accomplishments, but I do not fear him. I don’t believe it is his DNA to attack anyone. Shaq is a gentle giant. And beside that I’m a sane person. If for some reason I wronged him and he came after me to harm me, I would just outrun him or move to a different city or state if necessary. I wouldn’t want to try that with God, run from him that is.  Ask Jonah how that would turn out.

Jonah 1:10
Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

I might outrun Shaq, but I can’t out run God.

Psalm 89:7
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

The thing about fear is that it controls us or leads us. If I have a great fear of snakes, I would avoid them at all cost. Even the smallest and harmless snake I would go around it. If the path were small I would go to great lengths to take another way which could expose me to different acceptable dangers. It, the snake, essentially would have directed my path because of my fear. Who do you fear?

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 12:5
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Who do you fear?

1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Yes God is love, but God is more than our minds can fathom.

Hebrews 12:29
For our God is a consuming fire.

Consider who or what is directing your path. Are you pleased and accepting with your director? The thing about fear is that it controls us or leads us.  Who do you fear? To be lead by God is a good thing.

Psalm 48:14
For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.  

The acceptance of fear is a belief in a knowledge, understanding, and wisdom that came to us through seeing, experiencing, hearing, or threat of harm, or spiritual revelation. If you fear God or man, it came to you through your senses or spiritual revelation.

Many nations feared God throughout time and some still do

2 Chronicles 17:10
And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

Many nations feared God throughout time and some still do. That can be said of Christians too.  Some did and some still do. We want to be joined to those who still do.

Fearing God is an acute awareness of his infinite power, authority, and control of his creation of which we are a part. To fear God is to humbly submit to that authority and our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus directed our decision in the previous verse we read.

Luke 12:5
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Who do you fear? Who do you want to guide, direct, and care for you?

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 103:17
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

God is protecting us and loving us. He has translated us into his dear Son’s kingdom.

Colossians 1:13
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

I cower from God when I realize I’m in his presence and my unconfessed sin is before me.

Genesis 3:9-10
9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

I know when I did something wrong at home in my youth, I knew I had some correction coming. I didn’t know what it was but I tried to make myself small. Most of all though I hurt in my heart because I knew I had disappointed my parents. Let’s try our best not to disappoint our heavenly Father God. When we do, let’s go to him receive our correction and ask for his promised forgiveness. God is looking out for us and ready to receive us.

Psalm 147:11
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

Psalm 103:13
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Who do you fear? Who have you chosen to direct your life and hold your hope in his hands?

Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Psalm 48:14
For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

WHO DO YOU FEAR?

 

 

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Presented in Baton Rouge on February 4, 2018