The Awe of God: The Astounding Way a Healthy Fear of God Transforms Your Life

by John Paul Bevere

If we fear for the safety of our kids, we will likely thwart their growth by smothering them or by fostering prodigal behavior.

We are human, and we will fear. The awe and fear of God is way deeper, more beautiful, and more intimate than many dare imagine. The fear of God swallows up all destructive fears. The fear of God is the beginning of everything good.

“The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it.”1

Holy fear keeps us connected to the wisdom of our Creator—the only One who knows what enhances us and what undoes us.

“I learn more about a person’s character by their response to failure than anything else. Did they own responsibility, repent, and grow from the experience? Or did they justify their behavior and delegate the blame? It shows if he or she is fit for responsibility.” What I learned from that was: it indicates if wisdom is what he or she prizes above all else.

Embracing godly fear as our most prized treasure empowers us to remain under submission to truth, and in so doing, it keeps us on the path of life, which brings remarkable rewards.

Fear God, yes, but don’t be afraid of Him. —J. A. SPENDER

perfecting holiness in the fear of God”

Moses is merely differentiating between being “scared of God” and having “the fear of the Lord.”

However, the person who fears God has nothing to hide. He or she is terrified of being away from God.

The firm reality is this: God wants to be close and intimate with you. So rest assured, holy fear does not quench intimacy; it does just the opposite—it enhances our interaction with God.