The ultimate goal that we all face is to know the Lord – because the Lord knows this: once we know Him, we can step into His divine inheritance by obeying His commands
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 3:14 (KJV)
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
2 Peter 1:4 (KJV)
So the question becomes, how do we know God? If we are to reach the high call – the final goal that is set before us by the Creator and Master of the Universe – how do we get there?
Psalms and Proverbs offer the first clues.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Prov 9:10 (KJV)
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Prov 4:7 (KJV)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
*Psalms 111:10 (KJV)
*italics are not mine – they are actually emphasized in the Bible itself
So that begs the question, what is the fear of the Lord?
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Prov 8:13 (KJV)
* the forward mouth is defined as perverse or fraudulent
Note here that pride is hated by those who fear of the Lord, so it is advised to get humility. The benefits of acquiring humility and the fear of the Lord are found in Proverbs:
“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour , and life . “
Prov 22:4 (KJV)
Many have experienced this: That if you acquire the fear of the Lord and humility as well; you will not have to chase God, He will be chasing you.
The fear of the Lord is defined in Strong’s Concordance as :
fear (also used as infinitive); moral reverence :- × dreadful, × exceedingly, fear (-fulness).—Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
Another way to put this is to be exceedingly fearful of disappointing the Lord (through disobedience) and terrified of living without Him.
The fear of the Lord will demonstrate these attributes:
1. Obey God instantly
2. Obey God even if it doesn’t make sense
3. Obey God even if it hurts
4. Obey God even if no benefit can be seen
5. Obey God to completion (to every last detail of His instructions)
By far , the greatest benefit of acquiring the fear of the Lord is found in Psalms 25:12 – 14.
“What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose . 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant .”
Psalms 25:12-14 (KJV)
• Greek for secret = intimacy, consultation
Imagine! Having the Lord Himself teach you in His ways! This verse means that you need not follow what someone else is doing to pursue the Lord. Simply pray to the Lord and obey His commands – He will encourage you and bring you to the best plan for you to truly Know Him.
Fact: The only thing standing between you and your *eternal destiny is your free will.
*not just where you will spend eternity, but also how you will spend it – read that to mean rewards or no rewards for the level of obedience displayed in your life.
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