Receiving the Fear of the Lord

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you and continued in My faithfulness to you.
Jeremiah 1:3 AMP

This is one of my life verses, a promise that I ever watch Him unfold in a multitude of ways. But I didn’t always see His loving kindness in all the ways He has drawn me, at least not at the time.

I’ve often wondered, when we stand before Him on that Day, will we see all the many times in our lives He was drawing us to Himself out of ‘everlasting love,’ giving us countless chances to turn wholly to Him? All who are truly born again and all who refused Him, rejected Him, hated and blamed Him—will we all see the incredible opportunities He so brilliantly designed to reveal Himself and to offer us Life – Life eternal in His Son? Oh, His vindication is sure! That prospect and vision is full of both wonder and fear.

No Fear of the Lord Leads to Denial of Truth

If I could narrow it down to one reason that I willfully refused the Truth for so long and continued in my own self-effort and bloodless salvation, I would have to say that it was that I had no fear of God.

Proverbs 1:7 AMP
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.

How else could I be so cavalier about my life and lie to myself and God about the secret motives of my heart? When He confronted me through Martha over the truth of where and who I really was, it was the fear of the Lord that I deeply felt for probably the first time. When He opened my eyes and began to show me through The Tale of Three Kings my own heart as akin to Saul and Absalom, it was the fear of God that rose in me. It was the fear of the Lord that pierced me and caused me to need Him. The fear of the Lord was my beginning, a prelude to receiving.

Fear of the Lord Welcomes Chastening

Hebrews 12:5-6 NKJV
My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord. Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.

Chastening and discipline are proof that He loves me and that I’m not illegitimate. I am His. He is my true Father and I need His reproof and correction, His discipline and training as He prepares me as the Bride of Christ, to rule and reign with Him. Each of His corrections have instilled more deeply in me the reverent and worshipful fear of God as I come to know Him as He truly is. It is my safety and vanguard.

The fear of the Lord drives me to Him, even as His unfailing love draws and compels me.

Proverbs 16:6 AMP
By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man—not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil.