The Joy of Fearing God

by Jerry Bridges

What Kind of Relationship Can You Have with Someone You Fear?

For most of us, fear is something we try to avoid. And fearing God hardly sounds like an occasion for joy. But Jerry Bridges shows how the fear of the Lord is actually the key that opens the door to a life of true knowledge, wisdom, blessing, and joy.

We all want a deeper, more intimate relationship with God–one that’s characterized by joy. But how does fearing God lead to joy? After all, aren’t we supposed to love Him and live in intimate relationship with Him? Jerry Bridges explores this paradox as he unpacks the biblical promise that God delights in those who fear Him. Join him as he unveils the awesome greatness of God–His incredible holiness, deep wisdom, and especially His inspiring love. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of who God is that will draw you into a truly biblical, and surprisingly delightful, fear of God–a fear that includes your own genuine, heartfelt delight in God.

You’ll make the startling discovery that the fear of the Lord, far from being something to avoid, is the key to joyful, fulfilling, and genuine intimacy with God. It can change your relationship with God and change your life! Discover the surprising Joy of Fearing God!

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Christianity, Faith, Nonfiction, Discipleship

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

JERRY BRIDGES was an author and conference speaker. His most popular book, The Pursuit of Holiness, has sold over one million copies. Jerry was on the staff of The Navigators for over fifty years, and currently served in the Collegiate Mission where he was involved primarily in staff development, but also served as a speaker resource to the campus ministries.

Reviews

[Jami Balmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Jerry Bridges! One of my lifetime reading goals is to read all of his books and this one was great! It’s a fairly short book with a very specific point.

I started out LOVING the beginning because we don’t often discuss or think about the fear of the Lord (and how it leads to wisdom) or God’s holiness. The middle sagged a tiny bit for me but then the last part was dynamite again!

Such a great book! I listened to it as an audiobook in Scribd. (Hint: most of his books are available as audiobooks in there!!)

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: The joy of fearing God? It sounds like a contradiction in terms. One of the first times I used the expression, my listener (a Christian leader) gave a puzzled look and responded, "That's an interesting combination of words." I suspect he was being polite as he really thought, "How can anyone enjoy fear? And more to the point, how can you enjoy fearing God? Christianity means a relationship with God--but how can you have a relationship with someone you fear?"

The Joy of Fearing God by Jerry Bridges is one of my all-time favorite books. I read it years before I started blogging or reviewing. I've been meaning to reread it for years now. It did not disappoint. I still love, love, love it.

The book is divided into three parts: "What Is This Fear?" "The God We Fear," and "Responding To Our Awesome God."

The first section tackles some big questions: what does it mean to fear God? how is the fear of the Lord different from other types of fear? is there a right way and a wrong way to fear God? should Christians fear God?

The second section focuses on some of God's attributes. It is important to KNOW God. How can you worship a God you don't know?!

The third and final section focuses on WORSHIP and glorifying God. Bridges looks at the connection--the link--between fearing God and enjoying God.

[Emily Seydell · Rating 5 out of 5]

help, i can’t stop reading jerry bridges!! just kidding, that is not a problem i am looking to solve

bottom line: bridges never holds your hand and walks you through it, even though sometimes you (read: i) wish he would

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"the joy of fearing God" is an excellent, insightful book saturated in solid gospel truths explaining and applying a biblical and holy fear of God. Both highlighting the transcendent majesty of God and unfolding the biblical standards of holiness, this book is sure to help deepen your walk with God.

[Lauren :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a lot of Jerry Bridgers recs and I wasn’t sure what all the hype was about, but this book convinced me. It was biblically founded, reminded me of the glory and power of God and the meaning of awe. It connected well with other books I’ve read, like the section about practicing the presence of God. It just felt like a super wise and biblically founded book and it was super short :) very content packed. My favorite. 8.5/10

[Logan Hunsberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry bridges is becoming one of my favorite theologians as he puts life in such a easy to grasp way, and it is clear his faith in God is of the utmost importance in his life. The revelations the Holy Spirit brings through him is always enriching to my soul!

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Bridges is one of my favorite Christian motivational writers. I have never read a book of his that has not convicted me and encouraged me to grow in my relationship with my Creator. Always clearly written and easy to read his books are recommendable to those just beginning their walk with Christ or the seasoned saint as well. The Joy of Fearing God is no exception. This is such a needed message in the modern evangelical movement and a necessary reminder as we are conformed to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. You won't go wrong investing in this book. It would make a great Sunday school lesson plan or small group study.

[Star Gater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pulled this to read and donate as part of my personal Thankful Thanksgiving Nov TBR. And, I'm keeping it. The writing is inviting. When I pulled the book I didn't realize it was a study guide too. Today, I read and listened to the book, and in December I'm doing the study guide. Maybe, possibly, I will donate in Jan. However, the issue then becomes who wants my highlighted, blue - green - red inked thoughts and definitions with tabs book.

The narrator, Al Sanders was amazing. He has a quiet speaker voice that you may hear at an upcoming event, not a sermon.

Hoopla carried the audiobook and ChristianBooks.com had the physical book.

[Zachary Hanje · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a shame that I'm just now familiarizing myself with Bridge's writings. Exceptional book by an exceptional, God-fearing author. I especially loved the last few chapters on the practical side of fearing God, and benefited much from Bridge's tying together of fearing the Lord as a specifically joyful attitude and discipline. Perhaps no better of a person to learn this from!

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great bible study book. I feel like I have a much better understanding of the fear of God and how foundational it is to christian living. As with all the Bridges books, I would highly recommend doing the study guide along with the book as I find the work in the study guide is what really drives each chapter’s point home and convicts and changes my heart by God’s word.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I really appreciate how saturated it was with Scripture

[Cait Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really enjoyed this book - all of Bridges’ books have been a hit for me. I loved his emphasis on the fact that we should be glorifying God, but that Christ should be our dependence in order to do that every day. And that we should submit everything to prayer!

These lines; struck me majorly:
“The fear of God is the soul of Godliness. The fear of God is the animating and invigorating principle of a Godly life, it is the wellspring of all Godly desires and aspirations.”
“This is when we really start to enjoy fearing God - when we realise in the depth of our being that we justly deserve the wrath of God. Than see that wrath poured out on Jesus, instead of on ourselves.”
“The more we fear God and bow before him in reverential awe, the more likely we will be to worship him”

[Katie Buckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. I recommended to my sisters and mom, and we all love it.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough look at what it means to fear God. He painted a good picture.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great primer on understanding and living out the fear of God in life. I appreciated the authors thoroughness and attention to a variety of Bible passages to help drive home his main points.

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think it was just the book or just the narrator, but neither did the other any favors, and the combination was just kinda tepid...and the topic deserves better.

[Jennah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Bridges once again writes another great book! He gives you scripture about why we should fear God. Once you start reading you will soon discover that fearing God is the key to having a joyful and genuine relationship with God.

Having a fear of God is not the kind of fear we would have towards a person who is trying to hurt you, whether it be physically or emotionally. As Jerry Bridges says in this book, "Fearing God is a healthy respect for God's fatherly discipline. Such a fear is entirely consistent with our assurance of the Father's love for us and with our desire to please Him because of our love for Him." Jerry Bridges also tells us that "We as Christians should not fear God in order to earn His promised blessings. We fear Him because of who He is and what He has done for us. And then, out of the riches of His own grace in Christ, He fulfills His promises to those who fear Him."

Contents:

Part I, What Is This Fear?

1. Glorious Truth - Joy, Wisdome, and the Fear of God

2. A Parable of Awe - How the Right Fear Grows

3. Soul of Godliness - Should Christians Fear God?

Part II, The God We Fear

4. Beyond Meausre, Beyond Compare - The Greatness of God

5. Transcendent Majesty - The Holiness of God

6. Skill and Splendor on Display - The Wisdom of God

7. Our Amazing Father - The Love of God

Part III, Responding to Our Awesome God

8. Fanning the Flames - Growing in the Fear of God

9. He Is Lord - All of Life Under All His Authority

10. The Fruit of the Tree - The Delight of Right Obedience

11. He Is Here - All of Life in His Conscious Presence

12. For Life and Breath and Everthing - Depending on God

13. His Excellence Shining Forth - Bringing Glory to God

14. His Is Worthy - Fearing God in Worship

15. Special Blessings, Special Honor - Enjoying Him Now and Forever

This book has definitly helped me understand what to "fear God" means and why it is so important as a Believer. I recommend it for anybody who wants to have a deeper relationship with the one true God.

[Daniel Dyck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars may be viewed as low but it describes the feeling of "liked it". The problem with this book is that it leaves the reader wanting so much more!

Mr. Bridges does an excellent job of covering the breadth of the scriptures detailing the subject of Fearing God but does not go into great depth. His interpretation is often right, but he does not apply great hermeneutics to each passage. Often he does not start from the general emphasis of the text to focus on the narrow. He almost always begins with the narrow. Also, he does not often reference what is before and after a text to discover it's meaning.

Mr. Bridges likes to explain things with many examples, which can be helpful but not always. Throughout the first few chapters he has a running analogy to explain the concept of reverential fear. He also does not anticpate and ask the questions that I, as the reader, was asking myself. This is much different than reading Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones, for example.

All this said, there were many practical things that I have kept from reading this book and am very thankful for pondering many of the scriptures he highlighted.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great topic, one that is often ignored. Jerry Bridges is a very good author with the ability to make the difficult easier to understand. This book is convicting, comforting & enlightening. This is a great help in deepening ones walk with the Lord. this will be the next book offer at church as we promote the most helpful and best in Christian books.

[Reuben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has helped me a lot ( and should help me in future days) in fearing God the way I should do; enjoying Him in worship;to mean what I say, sing and write in my heart,that I shouldn't worship out of obligation but out of love to God. I defiantly recommend this book,especially to those who in a dry period;who aren't finding worship enjoying.

[Molly Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book led me to worship God. It challenged me to grow in my understanding of fearing God & what that should look like in my life. It was also very personal & relational which encouraged me. I cannot wait to thank Jerry Bridges for his faithful example.

[Katie Bliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough, insightful book about how fearing God is the best way to live the Christian life, and that it's a life that is worshipful, blessed, and peaceful because you are trusting and obeying God as He made us to do.

[Dana M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know where to begin. This was a great book full of thought provoking, scriptural theology. A definite keeper.

[Daniel York · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good analysis on the importance of fearing God.

[Kim Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

again, Jerry Bridges brings even more hunger to fear God. this book was truly life changing.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Definitely a favorite read of the year, if not all time. Highly recommended.

[Wassenario · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have found Bridges very gifted at being practical yet theologically rich.

[Logan Almy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent treatment of the fear of God from a gospel-centered perspective!

[Keller (Charles Hack) Hackbusch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Must read!

[Dustin Witmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid read. Great material a group Bible study as well.