November 24

Nov 24 - Today from Proverbs 24 we look at verse 21
"Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious."

Every once in awhile we need to contemplate what it means to fear God and other legitimate authorities. In our modern culture it is quite common to see bumper or rear window stickers which boldly declare "No Fear". That is some impressive bravado, but a person who truly has no fear is a person who is destined to live a short life.
There is a fear that can be considered an emotion. I grew up with four brothers and one of our favorite pastimes was to hide somewhere in the dark and wait to startle the first unsuspecting brother who came into the proximity. Even when you think you're prepared, you can't help but jump a few inches as your reflexes react to a shout and a grab in the dark. That kind of fear can get adrenaline flowing (as well as other things that tend to increase ma’s laundry load). That's not the kind of fear referred to here. God does not hide around corners waiting to jump out at us. The fear that we are considering here is contemplative.
Let's take fire as an example. To know that the properties of fire helps to develop a healthy fear of fire. We know that fire consumes flammable materials and spreads in the process. Thus, we know not to start a fire in the middle of the living room. Rather, we keep it contained in a fireplace. We know that it causes great pain and destruction to the flesh, so we are careful to keep our bodies from making any significant contact with it. Thus, we have a fear of fire. Not an unnatural fear (phobia), but a healthy fear. One would be a fool to say they have 'No Fear' of fire.
To fear God is to contemplate the 'properties' of God’s character. He is supreme. With His Word He created the entire universe. With His Word He upholds the entire universe. He is the ultimate Judge. His Word is certain. He is from everlasting to everlasting and none will ever usurp His authority or overthrow His throne. Ever. He is holy - unique and set apart from all creation as sovereign and eternal God. With His finger He can cast out the most powerful of demons - even Satan himself. With the command of His lips He can destroy all the armies of the world. There is NONE like God. One would have to be the ultimate fool to say they have 'No Fear' of God. Yet, there are many. Sin has perverted their view to where they believe they can choose to create their own reality, to make their own rules, and answer to no one but themselves. They fear fire more than they fear God. They are the rebellious.
The Teacher warns us not to join with the rebellious - yet we are tempted every day. Have we relegated God and worship to perhaps a few moments a day and an hour or two on Sunday, while the rest of the time we live in our own created reality? Do we choose what we want to watch on TV (or worse, on the internet)? Do we determine what we will do with our leisure time - of which we have far more than generations preceding us? Do we choose what we will do with our discretionary money - of which we have far more than generations proceeding us? Do we seek to increase our comfort and our security - while we think little of being useful to God?
Wisdom is to understand life the way God meant it to be. Wisdom also includes a healthy fear of God. We are to contemplate His character and His will, and we are to readily submit to Him - for He is worthy. How can we even begin to contemplate the enormity of His character and His will? We see Jesus.
"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father living in me, who is doing His work." -Jesus, John 14:9, 10
He doesn’t jump at us in the dark to create fear. He brings us into the light that we might contemplate the goodness and glory of the Father. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7)