the fear of the Lord

"In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence."*

Just what does "the fear of the Lord" mean?

"The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil."
"The Lord loves those who hate evil [=fear the Lord]."
"The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him."
"Let all the earth fear the Lord, let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!"
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

In spite of my ludicrous unfaithfulness, God began speaking to me as soon as I came running to Him, the very moment I showed interest in seeking Him faithfully. What is this fear of the Lord bit? "You can be free, but there is a price to pay. If you want to experience inner healing and to know the Father's love, then you must choose the fear of the Lord" (Father Heart of God, 47). Moreover, "The Fear of the Lord does not come into our lives by accident. It indwells in us because we choose to seek it ... and make it top priority in our life. It comes because we get sick and tired of being manipulated and controlled by fear of man, of being dominated by our fears and insecurities. It comes because we cry for it, pursue it, and get desperate for it” (ibid.).

Well I do want wholeness, and to know the Father's love. So it becomes really important what the fear of the Lord is. Is it really a solution? I used to think fearing the Lord meant putting His priorities in place of my own and revering Him as my ultimate concern. I think the biggest gap in that notion is that God is also immediate, He is right here, desiring fellowship with us right now, and so “ultimate concern” must become “dearest friend” and “most beloved Father.” There is reverence [awe] also, but I think more than anything else that His friendship is for those who fear Him. It means to love what God loves and hate what God hates. The "fear of the Lord” means hatred of sin and friendship and intimacy with the Father. It is also the beginning of knowledge! Everything worth being anything begins with fearing God: begins with knowing Him intimately and loving Him dearly!

Fear of the Lord is simply intimacy, adoration, and submission to the Father, and everything from identity to wisdom to maturity flows from that simple perpetual choice. Fear the Lord, for in so doing you may have strong confidence!

*The Scriptures cited, in order of appearance:
Proverbs 14:26
Proverbs 8:13
Psalm 97:10
Psalm 25:14
Psalm 33:8
Proverbs 1:7