Righteous Fear

While I was in Nepal I went on many treks through mountain passes. Only one thing bothered me, the pedestrian bridges. I was not affected by the altitude. Crossing rivers on foot didn’t phase me. Long distance walking was not a problem. The bridges, however, really got to me. Their construction strength was suspect, tomeat least. You could see through the slats to the valley floor or the raging water beneath you. And the wind through the valleys made the bridges sway. I had a healthy respect for the dangers, but I was able to cross each bridge on the paths. The Bible talks about the fear of the Lord. Fear, in this case, is the healthy respect for God’s power and authority. It entails submission to His authority and surrender to His will. Proverbs 9:10-11 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”Submitting our lives to God actually adds years to our lives. Knowing God gives us insight to live holy, fruitful lives. Fighting against God will only lead to ruin, as you will be judged for your unrighteous works.