Theme: Returning to Our First Love.
Topic: Having a reverential fear of God.
Main Texts: Deuteronomy 10:12-22, and Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Key verse: Deuteronomy 10:12 – “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (NIV)
Introduction:
In Deuteronomy 10:12-22, Moses states the five basic things that God requires of His people: “they were to fear Him, that is reverence; to walk in His ways, that is obedience; to love Him, that is worship; to serve Him, that is co-operation; to keep His commandments, that is fidelity or faithfulness.” To fear God means to have a deep respect, awe, and love for Him. This reverential fear is not about terror but about obedience and devotion. It is based on a relationship between an all-powerful Creator God and the crowning glory of His creation entrusted with fulfilling His purpose on earth (Ps 8:3-6). To revere the Lord is to fear him in the most profound sense of the word. This is not a fear that would make God’s people avoid Him, but a heart that so honors God that we would be hesitant to offend Him. Reverential fear acknowledges God’s greatness, justice, and mercy. Proper reverence of God leads us to live wisely and walk closely with Him (Prov 9:10).
Q1. (1a) How does the fear of God in our two passages differ from the fear illustrated in James 2:19? What is the root of that difference? (1b) According to Deuteronomy 10:12, what actions proceed from a reverential fear of God? See also Micah 6:8. (1c) How can knowing God’s character and attributes help us develop a more profound reverence for Him?
Paragraph 2:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. The rendering of that statement in Psalm 111:10 goes on to connect that fear with doing God’s commandments. In Eccles 12:13-14, Solomon, at the end of his life, concludes that what really matters in life is to fear God and keep His commandments because God will judge everything done in life. Micah 6:8 restates Moses’ question in Deut. 10:12 and provides a more succinct but powerful summary of the same answer: do justice, love mercy, walk humbly before God. Reverential fear of God leads to a spiritual commitment from the heart, from which right behavior ensues. Developing a reverence for the Lord is a practice that grows from devoting time to know Him from His Word, communing with Him in prayer, and doing what He tells us out of a desire to please Him. That is what leads us to depart from evil, do good, have love for one another, and live holy lives worthy of our calling. Everything proceeds from a relationship that is actively nurtured.
Q2. (2a) What does Eccles 12:13–14 teach us about life’s purpose? (2b) What difference does knowing that God will judge every action (even secret ones) make in how we live daily? (2c) Read Ps 111:10, Prov. 1:7, 9:10. How does fearing God lead us into true wisdom, knowledge, and understanding?
Paragraph 3:
A reverential fear of God changes how we live, shifting our focus from pleasing people to pleasing the Lord. It has been said that “those who fear God need not fear any man” (see Ps 27:1 and Prov 14:26). The fear of man brings a snare (Prov 29:25). If we do not seek to please God, we will seek to please men and ” would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10)”. Contrary to what the flesh, the world and the devil would have us believe, the fear of God does not make us miserable or rob us of life. It does the very opposite – it enriches us and enables us to fulfil the purpose for which God created us, thereby assuring fruitfulness in this life and eternal bliss with God, our Father, and Jesus Christ, our Lord. Let us fear Him, for He is our God.
Q3. (3a) In what ways does reverential fear of God help us resist the pressure to please people instead of God (Galatians 1:10)? (3b) What doesit mean to “tremble at God’s Word” according to Isaiah 66:2, and how can we cultivate that attitude?
Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for teaching us the importance of having a reverential fear of You. Help us to walk humbly before You, honoring You with our thoughts, words, and actions. Teach us to value Your Word and live each day in awe of Your greatness, mercy, and justice. May the fear of the Lord guide our lives and keep us close to You. In Jesus Name, Amen