Proverbs 19:23 (NLT)

Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.

Yirā (year-ah):

to have reverence, worship, respect toward a superior, exceedingly awesome (that which causes wonder and astonishment)

What is the Fear (awe) of God? It is a concept that lies at the heart of our relationship with the Divine. It's not a paralyzing fear, but a profound and healthy reverence for God's holiness, power, and majesty. In other words it is not worldly fear but it is a soft heart towards God with awe and wonder!

WHAT I AM ASTOUNDED BY IS WHAT I WILL MAKE ROOM TO BE SURROUNDED BY.

What has my reverence will determine my actions!

What is reverence?

Reverence embodies a profound mixture of respect and love. When you adopt a reverent stance toward God, it entails honoring Him, expressing gratitude, and adhering to His commandments. This sense of reverence should permeate not just your attitude but also your actions, forming the bedrock of a profound connection with the Divine

When we think of the fear of God we tend to think only about our actions - but what determines my actions?

MY ACTIONS ARE DETERMINED BY THE REAL ME

MY INWARDMAN/LIFE DETERMINES MY OUTWARD ACTIONS! MY INWARD DELIGHTS DETERMINE MY OUTWARD DEEDS!

Psalm 40:8 (ESV)

I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.

Romans 7:22 (ESV)

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being

From the song we sang today Fall like Rain - The lyrics are “Simple melodies of sacrifice open hands and open heart - you’re the only one I want Your presence is my treasure my delight

‍John 4:34 (ESV)

Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

Psalm 119:9–16 (ESV)

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10  With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12  Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13  With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 14  In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15  I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16  I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

IF I HAVEN'T GIVEN WHO I REALLY AM (THE INWARD MAN) TO JESUS THEN I HAVEN'T GIVEN HIM ANYTHING! HE DOESN'T WANT THE ACTIONS HE WANTS THE HEART (THE INWARD YOU)!

EVERYTHING CHANGES WITH A DECISION

Matthew 4:18–20 (ESV)

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

KNOW THAT YOU WILL MISS IT AND YOU WILL FALL SHORT - BUT YOUR NEXT DECISION DETERMINES YOUR MASTER! TO HAVE THE FEAR OF GOD IN YOUR HEART IS TO RUN TO HIM AND NOT FROM HIM!

Romans 3:23–24 (ESV)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

John 21:15–19 (ESV)

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

TO FEAR GOD IS TO INWARDLY ALIGN THE COMPASS OF YOUR ENTIRE EXISTENCE TO GOD'S DIVINE WILL & HIS WAYS! TO BOW DOWN YOUR HEART TO HIS WAY OF LIVING AND HIS CALL ON YOUR LIFE! IT MEANS SEEKING HIS SUSTENANCE IN EVERY FACET OF YOUR EXISTENCE, CRAVING HIM AND NOTHING ELSE.

SIMPLY PUT:

TO FEAR GOD IS TO FOLLOW HIM

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