The Fear of God

I received an e-mail yesterday from a friend about the Fear of God. She had a perfect understanding of this complicated consecpt.

"As I reflected on what we talked about yesterday, I again go back to the fear. It is not an awe fear but a genuine fear of God. But what separates this fear from all other fears is this one thing: this fear makes me want to run to God and hide in Him and not run the other way. Our natural tendency is to run the other way or get away when we fear something. But this fear draws you to Him, with reverence which is pretty cool."

When we understand the Fear of the Lord it frees us up in so many other places in our lives, such as the fear of man or not having enough or death and dying.

There is a great illustration in the Chronicles of Narnia, an allegory by CS Lewis, the author. The story has two girls, Susan and Lucy, getting ready to meet Aslan the lion, who represents Christ. Two talking animals, Mr. and Mrs. Beavear, prepare the children for the encounter. "Oooh" said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.

"That you will, dearie." said Mrs. Beaver, "and make no mistake, if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most, or else just silly."

"Then isn't he safe?" Said Lucy

"Safe?" said Mr. beaver. "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn't. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you!"

What a good understanding that CS Lewis makes about the fear of God. God is not safe as in tame. God is incredibly holy, full of praise and presence. No being can stand before Him unless he so agrees. You are wise to fear the Lord. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

...But he is good!