Deuteronomy 6:24
“So the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today.”
God’s people are told to fear Him. The Book of Proverbs has it as an ongoing theme. I’ve always thought it was for the purpose of being respectful; it was due Him. While that is true, today’s passage gives more reasons: for our good and for our survival.
What does fearing God look like? It’s listening to His instructions. The commandments were just given. If the people obey them, they are fearing God. The same is true for us. As we walk in obedience, we are fearing Him.
What are His words to us? The bible, the commandments and the subjective voice. The last one is the art of our relationship with Him. The longer we walk with Him, the more in tune we are. It can come through our conscience, unless it goes against His Words. It can come through hunches or nudges. He uses circumstances, opened and closed doors, sometimes it’s through the words of others.
When we sense His guidance, we pray about it. “Lord, do You want me to …?” If this leads to guilt, anxiety or fear, it probably isn’t God. His fingerprints in our lives leave peace.
He is our maker. It would make sense that He knows best for us. It’s like using a product for it’s intended purpose. A wrench can be used as a hammer. However, not well and not for long.
If we live contrary to His Words, we fall into sin, get addicted, harm relationships, and more. We also lose the joy He wants to give.
Lord, thank You for Your Word. Help us to fear You by obeying it.