This is one of the most loved Bible verses from the Old Testament. I see it all the time on the blogs of Christian writers.
Skeptics might view that verse in a totally different way from how believers in Christ see it. They may think, “why would anyone think that the God of the Bible is a God of love because we are to “fear” Him?” It is a good question, actually, and one that I will attempt to answer in this post.
When you look up the term “fear” as it is used in Psalm 103:11, we learn that the root Hebrew word [yare’]means both “to frighten – affright, be (make) afraid, dread” as well as “fear (be had) in reverence.”
When we look up the term “reverence” in the dictionary and view the word origin and history, we find:
Word Origin and History for rev-er-ence
n.
late 13c., from Old French reverence “respect, awe,” from Latin reverentia “awe, respect,” from revereri “to stand in awe of, respect, honor, fear, be afraid of; revere,” from re-, intensive prefix (see re- ), + vereri “stand in awe of, fear,” from PIE *wer- “to be or become aware of, perceive, watch out for” (cf. Old English wær “aware, cautious;” see wary ).
v.late 14c., “treat with respect, honor; venerate, pay pious homage to; esteem, value; bow to (someone); do honor to,” from reverence (n.). Related: Reverenced ; reverencing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid (or, at least tried to hide) themselves from God because they now feared Him (the “frightened,” “dreaded” kind of fear).
Prior to The Fall, the relationship between God and the first man and woman was one of “treat with respect, honor; venerate, pay pious homage to; esteem, value; bow to (someone); do honor to,” from reverence.”
Today, we have the free-will choice to either remain “afraid of God,” or to “treat [Him] with respect, honor; venerate, pay pious homage to; esteem, value; bow to (someone); do honor to,” from reverence.”
God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the bridge between sinful man and Holy God.
On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven and proceeded to indwell the apostles.
Recall that most of them ran away (except John, Mary M. and Mary the mother of Jesus) out of fear for their earthly lives when Christ was crucified! Thomas doubted that Christ had been risen and wanted proof by seeing Him, and putting his fingers into the nail scars on Jesus’ hands and at his side.
So what changed them so drastically that they feared no more and steadfastly spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to 3,000 in one day?
Answer: The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit – promised by Jesus Christ!
Read the account about the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
Dreaded fear became the more positive reverent fear in the name of Jesus Christ!
And this happens to this very day when we repent of our sins and accept Christ as Lord and Savior in our lives; thus inviting Him into our hearts through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit!
Where do YOU stand with God?
In Christ’s service,
Christine
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How To Know God Personally [Click on link to discover the principles!]
What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Become a better person so that God will accept you?
You may be surprised that none of those things will work. But God has made it very clear in the Bible how we can know Him.
The following principles will explain how you can personally begin a relationship with God, right now, through Jesus Christ…
Talk Wisdom 