Proverbs : 4

Welcome to the Wednesday Group.

This is our last week in our 4 week series in the book of Proverbs. There are many more topics which can be found in the book but as I've read through Proverbs these last few weeks one phrase has caught my attention often.

The words 'fear of the Lord' appear in the book of proverbs about a dozen times, a number only superseded in the book of Psalms. It crops up in Isaiah too. It has had me thinking what do these words really mean. 

Session 4 - Fear of the Lord

Read Proverbs 2 :1-5, 1:7, 9:10, 14:27

Consider
In the last 3 or 4 months we have noticed the effects of fear, with the arrival of COVID-19 in the UK. People, quite rightly, have been concerned about contagion, about the loss of loved ones, worried about the elderly and, maybe, even their own risk of death. People have talked about risk and r-rates, about distancing, lockdown, isolation and loneliness. The repetitive talk of these things has also generated fear and, in some cases, panic - and empty shop shelves. The word fear can be quite emotive and the use of the word in this sense is to be afraid of something known or unknown, of something painful or harmful. This is the fear that can immobilise people.



The fear of the Lord, or of God, is a different use of the word. It means to be in awe, to have respect and implies a sense of deference. Like the previous meaning it is an emotional connection with God, but borne out of love and admiration. We live in a beautiful part of the country. For me, at this period in the year, the countryside appears to just glow with the creative hand of God. As we weave through the lanes and turn a corner, catching a glimpse of a stunning view, how can one not admire what God can do.  

From Proverbs we read that the fear of the Lord:

• is the beginning of knowledge
• is the beginning of wisdom
• adds length to life
• is a fountain of life
• leads to life
• leads us from evil

The more we know God, the more we build our relationship with Him and the more we understand His grace, so will our fear of the Lord develop. There is a craving in the world for celebrity status. We need to distance ourselves from that and admire the one true God who rightfully demands our love and our praise, our worship and our admiration, our awe and our wonder.

This song may help you do that...

Song 'I Love You Lord' - Elevation Worship 

Prayer

• Think of words which help you to describe the fear of the Lord. Put them into a prayer of worship and praise.
• Pray that your sense of awe and wonder of God will be noticed in your life day to day. 
• Pray for those who are still struggling with the fear of COVID-19.
• Pray for those in government and the emergency services who are trying to control and limit its effect.