Air1's Verse of the Day for Jun 3, 2024

Understanding the Fear of the Lord

Read the transcript from today's video devotional.

Psalm chapter 103 and verse 11, “For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.” We throw this phrase around a lot: "God loves you." What do we actually mean by "God loves you"? This verse speaks to a very particular dimension of God's love—that God's love is unfailing, that God's love is great, and that this love of God is not for everyone.

How Great Is God's Love?

How great is God's love, and who is it that experiences it? This verse tells us that God’s love is unfailing. It is a no-matter-what, never-ending love, and His love is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. How high is that? How far are the heavens above the earth? Of course, the point is, it's immeasurable. We can't even measure it or fathom how great God's love is.

Then we're told "toward those who fear Him." That's who this love of God is for. That's who experiences it—those who fear Him.

What Does It Mean to Fear God?

Let me ask you the question: Do you fear God? Let me ask you another question: Do you know what it means to fear God? Because I could tell you, for the longest time I did not.

Here's one definition of fear: to be afraid of. Here's another definition of fear: to have reverential awe of. Here's the deal: Christians fear God, but they are never afraid of Him.

Two Different Kinds of Fear

There's two different kinds of fear. The first describes the fear of a sinner before a holy God, and it leads to running and it leads to hiding. It can't bear the thought of being a bad person before a perfect and powerful God. That fear drives people away from God.

The second kind of fear—the fear of a Christian—describes the fear of a son before a heavenly Father. It leads to adoration. It leads to worship. It knows, and I know, that my sin is great, but God's grace is greater. This fear doesn't drive us away from God. It actually drives us to God.

Christians do fear God, but we're never afraid of Him.

A Personal Question

Let me ask you the question again: Do you fear God? Do you know Him and know His grace? Do you stand before Him in reverential awe of Him? Because if you do, then good news. The love of God expressed here in Psalm chapter 103 is for you.

Friends, today when you think about fearing God, I invite you to consciously reframe it. Instead of picturing this harsh judge, picture an awesome and loving Father whose love for you is unfailing and is as high as the heavens are above the earth.

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Understanding the Fear of the Lord

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“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Love means doing what God has commanded us, and He has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.”

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance

But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.

For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

But the LORD ’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken.

The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted!

Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.

Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Each day proclaim the good news that He saves.

You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.

Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself.

I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from You.”

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.

I will tell everyone about Your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim Your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.

He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God.

Praise the LORD! Yes, give praise, O servants of the LORD. Praise the name of the LORD!

For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!

O nations of the world, recognize the LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.

Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.

The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe.

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”

I will proclaim the name of the LORD; how glorious is our God!

For this, O LORD , I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,

And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed His last.

I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me.

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name.

But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.

I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word.

O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.

Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord .

My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!

I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!

Search for the LORD and for His strength; continually seek Him.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the one who is over all things.

Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy.

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

But the LORD made the earth by His power, and He preserves it by His wisdom. With His own understanding He stretched out the heavens.

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like Me.