The phrase “fear the Lord” has mystified me. However, when you take a closer look, there is much to glean from this concept.
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?”
DEUTERONOMY 10:12,13 (ESV)
Fear the Lord
“The phrase, “fear the Lord,” puzzled me at first: Why would God want me to be scared, to dread Him? However, fear in this sense (in Deuteronomy 10) doesn’t refer to danger, but refers to fearing God’s judgment and being in awe of His majesty.
The expression is a call to show God honor and reverence for whom He is by acting and thinking in ways which bring Him glory.
How do we honor God?
Deuteronomy 10:12,13 outlines the ways in which we can glorify God in our lives. The author of this book offers four ways we can demonstrate deference to God or “fear the Lord.”
Walk in Obedience
Walking in obedience can be difficult at times. Humans tend to think we know better than the people God positions to lead and influence us.
Choosing to be obedient to those in authority demonstrates trust in the wisdom of our heavenly Father, as well as trust in those supervising us. Following the advice and guidance of a coach on the field displays honor to God.
Love Him
Prayer and worship are two ways to love God. Prayer is having a conversation with God. He wants to be our friend, our confidant and our advisor.
God wants us to turn to Him in the way we turn to our best friends. He wants us to trust and love Him in the manner we trust and love our parents, coaches or mentors. Team prayer cultivates God’s love among competitors.”
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Love, K.
-K.A. Wypych, Contributor Athletes in Action and Author of Ten Iron Principles
