The Fear of YAHveh (the LORD) is the Beginning of Wisdom (Part 2)
- Luke 12:5 -
If you have the fear of man (refers to both men and women) in you, then you are robbing YAHveh (the LORD) of the fear that is due to Him. The fear of YAHveh begins with the acknowledgement that there is one true living holy God, the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the One who has given us life, offers the gift of eternal life, and has given us immutable truths−commandments to live by. By His Spirit we can obey His commandments out of our renewed hearts and minds that overflow with love for Him. When heaven and earth pass away His words and those who obey His words will live forever (see 1John 2:17).
The fear of YAHveh is a reverential awe of honoring Him and His word knowing He is sovereign and that His truth will not change, for He “is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (see Hebrews 13:8). If we have a lack of the fear of YAHveh it stems from rebellion and defiance against the knowledge of His existence and immutable words. We respect, honor, and fear Him who is wisdom or we believe the lie over the truth and please man and ourselves and fall subject to His displeasure, grief, and forth-coming judgments.
YAHveh (the LORD) will contend with those who contend with Him. Wisdom dictates that we humble ourselves before YAHveh and give Him the love, obedience, and glory that are due to Him. How foolish can man be to think that he can deny and defy his Creator and contend against the knowledge of Him and think he will come out a winner? Such lack of wisdom of the fear of YAHveh (the LORD) results in the utmost stupidity, rendering a person subject to eternal wrath and eternal torment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Do not be robbed of wisdom and become as those, who in pride do not want their King and Creator to rule over them making them subject to His wrath and judgment (see Luke 19:27).
I believe there is a lot of the fear of man in our lives, and it robs Him of the glory. He says, “… Do not fear what they fear…” (Isaiah 8:12 NIV). The people of the world fear other people. They want other people’s approval and acceptance; they want a reputation and success in the world. You cannot please YAHveh and please man as Apostle Paul spoke, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Messiah” (Galatians 1:10). If your ambition is to please yourself, please people, and to love and embrace the things of this temporal world, this makes you an enemy to the almighty Redeemer of your souls because you do not fear Him.
This is purely stated through the Apostle James, “You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
Fear YAHveh, fear the Holy One of Israel, fear the Creator of heaven and earth! Do not fear what people fear; do not fear what they dread. Our Savior exclaimed, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:5). Fear YAHveh, the One who has omnipotent power and give Him glory. That fear is His due. Give Him your life dedicated to obey and please Him. Whatever you do in word and deed, be compelled within your heart to bring Him praise, honor, and glory (see Colossians 3:17).
The Holy Spirit exhorts us to fear YAHveh (the LORD); don’t be self-centered people-pleasers. Delight when you are rejected, mocked, scorned, ridiculed, and cast out, because you fear Him and desire His favor more than that of others. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12). Leap for joy, and when you leap for joy, those chains and shackles of the enemy of rejection, they will be broken. The spirit of rejection will have no place in you. YAHshua (Jesus) was rejected; He was despised, and we will be too if we fear YAHveh and not people! Let us count it all joy to suffer with our Savior and to know Him more intimately through these trials.
Prayer: YAHveh (LORD) I ask for wisdom, I have lacked the fear of You because I have been more concerned with pleasing man and myself. I realize that I am the victim of deception, thinking I could do things my way and man’s way and not seek with all my heart to fear, honor and please You. I am weak in this area and I ask for forgiveness and for help. My focus needs to be changed. I desire and ask for wisdom that begins with truly knowing what the reverential fear of You, YAHveh is. Please cleanse me with YAHshua’s (Jesus’s) precious blood, from man pleasing self-centered inclinations. Please, by Your grace teach me to fear You and to bring You the praise, honor, and glory due to You. Thank You for the wisdom that is greater than the treasures of this earth that I will gain as You answer my prayer.