The Fear of the Lord
 
The Lord has been speaking to me about the fear of the Lord. Let me start out by saying when I talk about the fear of the Lord, for me it means to have the highest respect and honor for God, it is not from a place of being so afraid of God that you cannot draw near to Him or that God is not loving or kind. The fear of God to me means the highest form of respect, honor and admiration for God. Take for example the kind of respect people give to Presidents, Kings & Queens, The Pope, Influential Ministers, Business Leaders, Some Politicans, Actors, etc…if we show these people respect and honor then how much more deserving is God of the highest form of honor, respect and admiration.
 
I have personally had an encounter with the fear of God while I was apart of the International House of Prayer in Atlanta back in 2005/2006. We were having a conference at IHOP Atlanta with Cory Russell preaching and everyone was at the altar and many of us were experiencing God’s Presence so strongly, we were in intercession and many of us were groaning, crying in travail. In that moment while I was at the altar I was encountering God’s Presence so strong in travail crying very loudly and all of a sudden I experienced something I have never encountered in my entire life before and I have never experienced it again like I did that night. In that moment I felt something enter the room and when it did I experienced utter terror to the point where I felt I should not physically move any part of my body and I was already laying face down on the floor, but I felt I could not hide myself enough, I wanted to crawl beneath the carpet and hide and I was screaming as loud as I possibly could. As I was experiencing this it was not only the most terrifying thing I have ever experienced, but it was also the most holy, precious and amazing thing I have ever experienced at the same time. Although it was terrifying, it was also wonderful at the same time because with it came the strong Presence of God, it was holy, loving and pure. In that experience it was so amazing because although I felt the terror of God, it was also so enjoyable and amazing because I was encountering God’s Presence in the midst of the terror. It was as if my body could not handle the holiness and extreme glory that I encountered. I should point out that I have experienced plenty of demonic warfare and attack and when I say I experienced terror it was not the same kind of fear I have experienced in a demonic attack, it was not evil at all. The terror and fear I experienced made me want to draw near to God and not run away, it was strangely enjoyable because although it was the most terrifying, powerful experience it was also so amazing because I felt God’s Presence so strong in the midst of it. When I have experienced demonic fear all it has done is made me afraid, fearful of things and it felt evil and dark, but in my encounter there was nothing evil or dark it was holy and pure.
After the experience it was so powerful and precious for me because I encountered God in a deeper way and it drew me closer to Him. I am not sure if it was God Himself who came into that meeting that night or an angel or just the Presence of God, all I know is it was God and I encountered the fear of the Lord for the first time that night. It was not until years after I had that experience that I became aware of the fact that what I experienced that night was the fear of God, it was in 2011/2012 when the Lord started highlighting the scriptures about the fear of the Lord and the Lord spoke to me then that the encounter I had which I just described was God allowing me to experience the fear of the Lord. I knew the encounter was powerful and it left a significant impact on my life, but it was not until years later did I fully understand that it was God having me experience the fear of the Lord. I believe God had me experience that because it is something He wants people to know, understand and experience for themselves. Like I mentioned before, I do not believe the fear of the Lord is where we are so afraid of God that we do not approach Him or feel we cannot have a close relationship with Him, but I believe it is the highest form of honor, respect and admiration for God.
 
Back in the beginning of 2012 I wrote about the fear of the Lord in a blog I created and I shared about the experience I had. While I was up late at night writing about it on my laptop I had my back to our living room windows which did not have any curtains or blinds on them and while I was writing about the fear of the Lord I saw in the reflection of my computer through the window there was a very bright green light that appeared across the sky. I was so stunned, shocked and startled by it and I looked outside and saw this green light moving across the night sky as if it was a falling star. I googled about it the next day and I discovered it was a meteor that many people saw the same green light in the sky in South Carolina where we were living at the time, Georgia and other states. I felt the meteor was a prophetic sign to me at the time that God was releasing something from heaven about what I was writing about, the fear of the Lord. I felt it was a sign from God that He is releasing from heaven, a revelation about the fear of God.
 
We know through many references in scriptures that the fear of the Lord is mentioned and we know that it is the beginning of wisdom, but I do not believe it is something preached about often and if so it may not always be understood. I have also heard ministers preach against the fear of the Lord saying we should not fear God. There is no human alive or who has ever lived who is as holy, as powerful, as loving, as good, as pure, as perfect as God the Father; Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit. For this reason God deserves the highest form of worship, praise, fear, respect, honor and admiration. No person is ever as deserving as God of our complete devotion, love, and submission of our lives as God is.
I believe God is wanting people to encounter His holiness, His glory and His power. Remember when Moses wanted to see the face of God and God said to Moses if I show you my face you will die. The glory of God is not a light thing, the glory of God can kill our mortal bodies because God is so holy, so powerful and so pure. I believe God wants to release the fear of the Lord in a greater measure in the church because He wants people to encounter Him in a deeper way.
 
By: Holly Rotalsky
Wings of Fire International
www.wingsoffire.org
 
Below are Scriptures on the Fear of the Lord:
 
“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Have you no fear of God, no reverence for him?”
‭‭Job‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭2:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭128:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15:33‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
““They have no fear of God at all.””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭111:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Let all who fear the Lord repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.””
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:79‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“How joyful are those who fear the Lord — all who follow his ways!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭128:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭130:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭85:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:30‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭12:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
““Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
“And from the throne came a voice that said, “Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬