“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.” Mal 4:2
The couple had come to me for gas money to get out-of-town. She was a widow and a member of our church. He was a wolf who had ruined her life and tempted this sister in the Lord into a life of sin. Now he had convinced her to spend her every last dime to rent a Uhaul to get them out-of-town to go who knows where.
“I won’t help you.” I told them.
“But I will help you sister. Say the word and I will have this man removed from the building. We will help you. Please don’t go with him.” I begged.
“I love him.” She explained. “And I still love the Lord too. Pastor I can do both. Please help us to live our dream.”
In the end she left with him. I heard several months later from her sister that she had died, away from family and friends alone and penniless.
“What happened to this woman?” Many asked.
On the outside she certainly exuded a love for the Lord. How could such a love be turned to sin so quickly?
I have to tell you that while love for God will drive you to God, only the fear of God will drive you away from sin. Proverbs 16:6 says, “Unfailing love and faithfulness cover sin; evil is avoided by fear of the LORD.” (NLT)
I also want to point out that many of the promises in the Word are for those who “fear the Lord” not for those who “love the Lord”.
I am working on my fear of the Lord. I know I love Jesus but I have questioned in my own heart do I reverence Him enough? I don’t think I do. I know I am part of a culture that does not. I am realizing I am still pretty attached to that culture.
But I want to bask in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. I want to receive the healing that is in His wings. I long to reverence His greatness. To love what He loves and hate what He hates is my desire.
Oh that His mercy would transform me to fear His name more, that I may be one of those freed in the promises of eternity!
How do you practice the fear of the Lord?
Reinventing the We'll 
Thank you.
” I also want to point out that many of the promises in the Word are for those who “fear the Lord” not for those who “love the Lord”.”
Thanks for pointing out this distinction. 🙂
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 Wisdom and understanding come from fearing and knowing Him. Could it be that we learn to love Him after we’ve known/ feared Him? Or is it our love for Him that causes us to love and fear Him?
Hope the questions come out making sense… I’ve never picked them apart before. Thanks for provoking the thoughts 🙂
Blessings
ann
I am not sure I even have the brains to figure this one out Ann. I have a friend who believes we first learn to fear God and that matures into a love for God because fear of the Lord is “the beginning of wisdom”. I guess that makes some sort of sense, but I really cannot say it’s the whole apple if you know what I mean.
In Christ,
je