GOD FEAR 1


The fear of God is reverential awe and respect for Him. It is a heart-felt conviction that He is not only loving and personal, but holy and just.

Proverbs 14:27 says, "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death" (NIV).

Where there is no fear of God, there is no fear of divine punishment, of incurring divine wrath. I look at the headlines in our newspapers today and lament that our nation has lost its fear of God and divine punishment.

The fear of God is the foundation for developing a godly character. I believe the leadership crisis we are facing today in America is really a crisis of character. There never has been a time in our history when we had perfect leaders. But the difference today is that many "leaders" deny there is anyone to whom they are accountable.

The result: Arrogance, being above the law and outright deceit all mark many of our political, civic and spiritual leaders. All of this is because men no longer fear God, and they are convinced they can get away with most anything. If we aren't accountable for our lives to God then why be accountable to our fellow man for our actions today?

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.