"The Fear of the Lord" by John Bevere

Psalm 5:7

But as for me, by Thine abundant loving-kindness I will enter Thy house, At Thy holy temple I will bow in reverence for Thee.

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.

"Holy fear is the key to God's sure foundation, unlocking the treasuries of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. -John Bevere

God Corrects us that we might participate in His Holiness:

Hebrews 12:7-12 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

(1) We are all disciplined by our earthly fathers, because of love. In a real sense if you are born from above, God is the father of our ___________. He disciplines us because of His great ________ for us.

(2) If God, our Father does not discipline us, we are not _______ sons.

(3) Why does God discipline us? God disciplines us for our __________, that we may share in His __________________.

Accordingly, not only is love foundational for a relationship with God, but also the fear of the Lord.

Isaiah 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.*

(1) What is the treasure that the fear of the Lord is key to? ______________ and ___________ and ___________.

Knowledge=knowing God's will for our lives.. We can know the will of God.

Jesus Christ is our wisdom

1 Cor. 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

(1) Not only is Jesus our wisdom, and redemption (salvation) but He is our _____________ and ___________!

2 Cor. 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

(2) Is it possible to approach God without the righteousness of Christ?_________________-

B. Jesus said "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. [John 14:15] "We can not truly love God until we fear Him, and we will not properly fear Him until we love Him."_(a)

(1) What should be our reason for obedience? ___________

The old covenant reserved a penalty for a breach of the Law, death.

CH I. Wind from Heaven : Would 'elohiym, [ exceedingly divine God ], subject Himself to be present in a place where He is not given honor & reverence?

WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF THOSE WHO COME NEAR HIM? Leviticus 10:3b . . ." By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.". . .

(1) To come close to God we must treat him as ____________ and __________ him before all people.

Psalm 5:7 But as for me, by Thine abundant loving kindness I will enter Thy house, At Thy holy temple I will bow in reverence for Thee.

(1) Did David [the psalm writer] understand his need for reverence in the presence of Holy God? ______

"All true worship is anchored in a reverence for His presence."_(b)

Leviticus 19:30-32 'You shall keep My Sabbaths and revere My sanctuary; I am the Lord (32) " 'Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.

(1) What does God require of us in His presence? ______

Psalm 34:9 "Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing". _{The word used for "fear" is the same as
the Hebrew word for reverence- 'yare' (yaw ray)."}

(1) Does the word of God declare blessings for the person who reveres Him?________.

Mr. Bevere's book "The Fear of the Lord" helps us, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, to define the meaning of fearing the Lord and helps us to walk day by day in that state of awe. Through John Bevere's observations and insight we will learn of the judgment which God renders when there is a lack of holy fear, as well as the consummate benefits found, when we "fear God".

To fear the Lord is to "willingly obey God even when it appears more advantageous to compromise or not obey His word.
The word blessing means is not quite defined by our word "Happy", perhaps consummate benefit would be more appropriate.
The word holy means to set apart.
To reverence or revere is to hold in awe, to cherish and exult.

Back to the Home Page Back to "Fear Index" To Chapter 2

If you have questions, comments, or just want to chat about your relationship with Jesus, Email me at deans@interpath.com Or write to the Author at John Bevere Ministries, P.O. Box 2002, Apopka, FL 32704-2002 U.S.A.