Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always. Proverbs 28:14
The blessing
Fearing the Lord will give you wisdom. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psa. 111:10). It will keep you from sin: “God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin” (Ex. 20:20).
It will also motivate you in evangelism: “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others” (2 Cor. 5:11). All kinds of good will flow into the life of the person who fears the Lord.
The promise
“I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me” (Jer. 32:40).
Notice what the Lord says here to His people: He will put this godly fear in their hearts. Why? That they may not turn against Him. The clear implication is that without the fear of the Lord, believing people might easily turn against the Lord. This is part of the promise of the new heart. God is able to give this to you. This is a wonderful promise.
If we feared God more, we’d sin less. If we had a greater sense of the reality of His judgment, we would do more to advance the gospel. If God carried more weight in our lives, we’d make wiser decisions.
If you feel like your heart is cold to the things of the Lord today, pray like this: “Lord, my heart is pulled in all kinds of directions. Unite my heart to fear Your name. Put in my heart more of this fear of You that arises from the splendor of Your glory, the reality of Your judgment, and the wonder of Your love.”
