How can we cultivate a similar fear of God in our daily lives? A trembling heart in Psalm 119:120 “My flesh trembles in fear of You; I stand in awe of Your judgments.” Why a holy fear matters - Fear here is not dread that drives us away but reverent awe that draws us close. - It recognizes God’s absolute holiness (Isaiah 6:3), justice (Deuteronomy 32:4), and power (Jeremiah 10:6-7). - Scripture calls this fear “the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10) and “pure, enduring forever” (Psalm 19:9). Cultivating holy fear: heart postures • Humble surrender – “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word.” (Isaiah 66:2) • Grateful reverence – “Since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be thankful, and worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29) • Obedient love – “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.” (Proverbs 8:13) Our reverence shows itself by turning from sin. • Childlike confidence – “The church… walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, multiplied.” (Acts 9:31) Daily practices that nurture fear of God 1. Unhurried Scripture reading • Read aloud; let the words weigh on you. • Pause to visualize God’s majesty in passages like Revelation 4 or Psalm 97. 2. Confession and quick repentance • Keep short accounts; when convicted, agree with God immediately (1 John 1:9). 3. Meditating on God’s judgments and attributes • List His acts of justice (e.g., the Flood, Sodom, Ananias & Sapphira) alongside His mercy at the cross. 4. Worship that exalts His holiness • Sing hymns or psalms highlighting His greatness (e.g., “Holy, Holy, Holy”). 5. Fellowship with reverent believers • “Iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17); choose voices that stir awe, not casualness. 6. Remembering eternal accountability • “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) Keep eternity on the calendar. 7. Practicing obedience in the small things • Every prompt of the Spirit obeyed trains the heart to revere His voice. Guardrails that keep the fear fresh - Fast from distractions that dull spiritual sensitivity. - Schedule regular solitude in creation; let mountains, oceans, or night skies preach God’s grandeur (Psalm 19:1). - Memorize key fear-shaping verses: Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Luke 12:4-5. - When discipline comes, receive it as loving correction (Hebrews 12:5-11). Fruit of cultivating holy fear • Deeper wisdom and discernment (Proverbs 1:7). • Stronger hatred of sin and quicker repentance (Proverbs 8:13). • Courage before men, because we tremble before God alone (Matthew 10:28). • Abiding joy in His goodness (Psalm 112:1). • Growth in holiness: “Perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) Live each day with flesh that “trembles” and hearts that “stand in awe,” and the fear of the Lord will become a wellspring of wisdom, obedience, and joy. |
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