Post 4 – The Fear of the Lord Series
👀 Introduction: What Does the Fear of God Look Like?
If we’re going to understand what it truly means to fear the Lord, we must look to the face of Jesus. He is not only the Savior of the world, but also the ultimate model of what a life lived in reverence before God looks like. He feared the Father—not out of insecurity or dread, but with holy delight. He stood in awe of God because He understood God perfectly.
The fear of the Lord isn’t reserved for sinners or the immature. It wasn’t something Jesus “grew out of.” In fact, Scripture shows us that He delighted in it. That truth should reshape our understanding entirely. Reverence isn’t a step toward maturity—it’s the very evidence of it.
👑 Case Study: Jesus – Delighting in the Fear of the Lord
Isaiah 11:2–3 (ESV):
“And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him… the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.”
This prophetic passage speaks of the Messiah—Jesus. Among all the attributes He would carry by the Holy Spirit, fear of the Lord is listed right alongside wisdom, counsel, and power. In fact, it says that Jesus would delight in fearing God.
This fear didn’t produce distance—it produced obedience. It wasn’t terror—it was trust. Jesus wasn’t afraid of the Father’s judgment—He was in awe of the Father’s holiness. And He responded with joyful, wholehearted surrender.
Hebrews 5:7 (ESV):
“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.”
In Gethsemane, we see Jesus embodying reverence. His loud cries weren’t panic—they were passionate pleas of trust. He didn’t run from the cross—He submitted to it. Why? Because He feared the Father with holy, obedient awe.
This is the face of true fear. It is not writhing in dread—it’s bowing in devotion. This kind of fear honors God deeply—and God hears and honors it.
🕊️ How the Apostles Walked in Fear
After Jesus ascended, the apostles didn’t abandon reverence—they built their lives upon it. The early church didn’t outgrow the fear of the Lord in favor of grace. Instead, the fear of the Lord became the very atmosphere they lived in.
Acts 9:31 (ESV):
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.”
Notice the tension: fear and comfort. Holy awe and supernatural peace existed together. This wasn’t contradiction—it was balance. Their reverence for God didn’t hinder growth—it caused it. Reverent people are usable people. Fearful people multiply with fruitfulness.
2 Corinthians 5:10–11 (ESV):
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ… Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.”
Paul’s motivation for evangelism wasn’t entertainment, pressure, or guilt—it was fear. He knew he’d one day stand before Christ and give account. That sobering reality didn’t paralyze him—it energized him to persuade men and women toward salvation.
1 Peter 1:17 (ESV):
“And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially… conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.”
Peter calls believers to live in reverence—even though we call God our Father. This shows us that intimacy with God and reverence for God must go hand-in-hand. The more we know Him, the more we revere Him—not less.
🌌 Heavenly Reverence – Fear Beyond Time
Reverence doesn’t end in Heaven. In fact, it reaches its crescendo there. The saints and angels tremble—not from terror, but from awe.
Revelation 15:4 (ESV):
“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
In Heaven, worship is saturated with reverence. God’s holiness will be seen without a veil—and no one will stand casually. We’ll kneel, sing, weep, and shout with holy awe.
Revelation 1:17–18 (ESV):
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last…’”
John, the beloved disciple who had leaned on Jesus’ chest, now sees Him in glorified splendor—and collapses in reverence. Jesus doesn’t remove fear—He comforts him within it. This is the kind of reverence that remains in glory.
📖 Summary Table: Fear in the Life of Christ and the Church
| Who Feared God? | How It Was Shown | Scripture |
|---|---|---|
| Jesus | Delighted in reverence and obeyed in prayer | Isaiah 11:2–3, Hebrews 5:7 |
| Early Church | Walked in fear and multiplied in power | Acts 9:31 |
| Paul | Evangelized from holy motivation | 2 Corinthians 5:10–11 |
| Peter | Called believers to live in fear as exiles | 1 Peter 1:17 |
| John in Revelation | Fell in awe before the glorified Christ | Revelation 1:17–18 |
🧠 Memory Aid: Fear is Fellowship
We often assume fear means distance. But in Jesus, fear is not separation—it’s surrender. The fear of the Lord is the foundation of fellowship with God.
- Fear draws us closer—because we take Him seriously.
- Fear humbles us—because we recognize our smallness.
- Fear strengthens us—because we rely fully on Him.
🛠 Life Application
- Ask God to give you the kind of reverence that Jesus walked in.
- Let holy fear drive your obedience—not just love, but awe.
- Share the gospel with urgency, knowing you too will stand before Christ.
- Worship with trembling joy—sing to the God who is holy, holy, holy.
💬 Reflection Question
What part of your life needs to reflect more of Jesus’ reverence—and less of casual comfort?
📣 Shareable Quote
“Jesus didn’t fear the Father to keep His distance—He feared the Father to walk in delight.” — Barry Coker
Next in the Series: The Father’s Expectation – What God Requires – Featuring Joseph, whose fear of God kept him pure, honest, and positioned for divine purpose.
