Psa 96:4  For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
Psa 96:5  For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.

The God of the Bible, the Lord of lords, the King of kings, Jesus Christ, who is the Word of Life, is to be feared above all gods.

The concept that God should be feared is one that those who are not saved by His grace cannot fathom. Who would worship something that they’re told to fear? This is of our flesh, never mind worship, when we fear someone because of something they did, our natural stance is one of resentment or resistance. We go into victim more, we shouldn’t be in a position of fear.

What’s missing is the context of the fear. Fear is natural. It’s an emotion given to us by God. He designed us to have fear. His word is very clear in that He wants us to give Him everything, which includes our fear.

This fear is one of reverence.

I know some people who were afraid of their parents when they were kids. If they stepped out of line, there was a beating they were going to get. This is not an example of the fear we’re to have of God.

I had another friend, one who shared with me an incident where he was driving under the influence of alcohol and crashed his car. Thankfully, no one was hurt, except his ego. He knew he had to call his dad and let him know what happened. His dad picked him up, brought the car home, and never said a word to his son. And yet, this young man knew and feared the disappointment his father had…and still made that call home knowing the unconditional love his dad had for him.

This is much more in line with the fear of God we’re to have…although far from it. It’s a simple reflection of it.

Our fear of God, our reverence for Him, and His will for us direct our every footstep. The gods of the people, the gods of our world, are idols. An idol is anything that takes your time, attention, and/or money. God wants all of you, so when that attention is placed on something else, we’re worshipping that idol. Some might think this sounds extreme, and many have a false definition of worship.

I can worship money, even for a moment. It doesn’t consume my entire life, but I can, as we all do, forget about God in that moment and focus on money…or another object.

We don’t stop that worship because we fear God will punish us, rather, we do our best to remember, He paid the price for everything I have. He gives and He takes away. He is investing me because He wants a return on investment in what he’s given me. So in everything, He should be the deciding factor.

This doesn’t mean we need to live a life of no joy or happiness. it’s the basic understanding that every moment has a choice, and every choice has a price and a benefit. The question we should be asking is what is the benefit and the price in this moment. Is what I am doing going to give me a return that pleases God, or is it going to cost me something later? And…the devil continuously collects his dues.

The Lord has paid the price, the doors of heaven are open to all who receive His gift by simply confessing who He is. And, there is a debt we cannot pay for it, and, He wants a return on investment on the price He paid. He wants us to bring the whole world to Him. He wants us to be on mission for Him. He wants us to disciple the nations.

Now notice, everything I said there…He wants.

He doesn’t require. He wants you to do it because of your reverence for Him. He wants you to desire most those words he says in scripture when you meet Him in heaven. Well done, good and faithful servant.