Cultivating a Holy Fear of the Lord

The Fear of the Lord

What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matt. 10:27–31)

This is what Jesus taught his disciples and what he says to us.

Scriptures emphasize a fear of the Lord calms and weakens our lesser fears. The disciples needed to replace fear of harm from men with a fear of God. While man might harm them physically, even to the point of death, God had power over the destination of their souls.

The meticulous sovereignty of God the Father knew the number of hairs on their head (as he does yours), and he cared for them more than the billions of creatures he watches over each day. Again, when we are fearful, we are to replace that fear with a greater fear: the fear of the Lord.

#extraordinarygod