In February, Monique and I went to the Next Level Conference in Ft Myers. We are a part of the Next level Relational Network At this Lead Pastors only event, we had the opportunity to learn from John Bevere. Imagine a 150 people getting to pick the brain of the guy who wrote Bait of Satan, Undercover, Driven by Eternity, and this series, Awe of God. By the way, Lisa, his wife spoke too and it was in the top 3 best message I ever heard in my life.

John had just finished Awe of God and was speaking about the content. I wish I could describe the feeling in that sanctuary as he unpacked this material. We were shook as the kids say. I just wanted to get on my knees and beat my chest, tear the robe, pour on ashes. It was that intense and it wasn’t because of the truth of the message or the delivery. It was that I realized I was not walking in the fear of God. I had moments where I was, but plenty of moments where I wasn’t.

I saw how in modern American Christianity we’ve made faith all about love and acceptance and beauty and forgiveness and have made God into something he is not. I am not saying he doesn’t do all of those things, but it is like we have conveniently ignored the magnanimous nature of who he is. He isn’t some fluffy and oblivious sky daddy. This is the one who said let there be light. This is the one who caused millennial kingdoms to fall at the motion of his hand. This is the one who thundered form the mountain and split the sea and earth. This is the one who burns with anger at sin.

But we don’t like this version. We want the lovely dovey God that makes us feel better about ourselves. We’ve made virtues from the things we like and ignored the things we don’t.

A Virtue is what we see as the highest form of morality and right.
Since humans were created, mankind has been searching for that virtue that is the key to everything, that can even make sense of this loving, yet magnanimous God

What if I told you that key existed? What if you were told of a hidden virtue, that in essence, is the key to all of life?
It unlocks the purpose of your existenceIt attracts the presence, protection, and providence of your Creator. It is the root of all noble character, the foundation of all happiness and provides needed adjustments to all inharmonious circumstances you may face. To firmly embrace this virtue will lengthen your life, procure good health, ensure success and safety, eliminate lack, and guarantee a noble legacy.

“I’ll take 2!”

It might sound too good to be true, but these promises were written by the wisest man to ever live, and he wrote them under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Here's a brief account of his story.
As a child, he was trained in and embraced this virtue, growing strong in noble character and developed keen insight. He excelled quickly in leadership and eventually became a ruler of millions. He possessed astounding wisdom and very little was too difficult for him to understand. He wrote thousands of wise sayings and composed hundreds of songs. This wise man achieved success and fortune like no other. Kings, Queens, and people of influence would travel great distances to be in his presence, hear his insights, and to witness the excellency of his team and all they built and accomplished under his leadership.

But as time passed, this noble leader turned away from what fueled his achievements. He became wise in his own eyes and deemed it no longer necessary to heed the wisdom of this virtue. As a result, he lost his way and spiraled into a pit of depression, pessimism, and cynicism.

He made statements such as:
"Everything's boring, utterly boring - no one can find any meaning in it."
"History merely repeats itself as there is nothing new under the sun."
"What is wrong cannot be made right."
"What is missing cannot be recovered."
''The day you die is better than the day you were born.”

The good news: his story doesn't end in the depths of depression and despondency.

He writes 7 times in one form or another: "Remember Your Creator."
And the final statement in his despondent book ...

Ecclesiastes 12:13 I NLT Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty.

Duty: all, everything, whole, entirety.

The prized virtue is none other than the Fear of God.

So let’s talk about fear…

Fear
For years people have strived to eradicate it.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt calls attention to it: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Voices across all platforms shout that we need to find ways to overcome fear.
We can find hundreds if not thousands of self-help books designed to do exactly that.
Clothing with the words "No Fear" printed boldly across them.

We seem adamant in our quest to eliminate all fear from our lives. This crusade seems sensible, noble, and prudent, and while on many fronts it is, the truth is, not all fear is bad.

So why the obsession?
I believe it stems from lumping all fears into one big category under the label of "harmful." But is this assumption accurate?

First, it is important to acknowledge that there are indeed destructive fears, even when they seem sensible. (Impending doom, that people hate you, etc.)
On the other hand, constructive fears produce beneficial wisdom (Snakes bite, falling)
And yet, constructive fear, although beneficial, left unchecked can also be perverted and diminish our lives. (Failing: It is good in that it can help you identify issues before they become detrimental. It is bad in that it might keep you from ever stepping out.)

Holy fear's importance so vastly trumps all other virtues, that Scripture identifies it as:
- Jesus's delight (“His delight is in the fear of the Lord” Isaiah 11:3 NKJV)
And even more astounding: "The fear of the Lord is His (God's) treasure" (Isaiah 33:6 NKJV).

Stop and ponder this for a moment: Holy Fear is God Almighty's delight and treasure.

Solomon didn't fully realize the value of godly fear, even though he taught it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit! Prior to his fall, godly fear wasn't his treasure, or his delight-so it was easy to draw him away!In stumbling, experiencing folly, and finally recovering, he more fully grasped the magnitude of its power.

Holy fear is God's treasure; it should also be ours!

Contrasting Fears

The Common Counteractions Toward Fear
Leaders often say, ''The fear of the Lord only applies to Old Testament times, but as Christians, we've not been given 'a spirit of fear.' (See 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). 'There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.'" (See 1 John 4:18 NKJV). But, not only did NT writers record these words, they also penned other statements:

"Work out your own salvation with/ear and trembling." (Phil. 2:12 NKJV)
"Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Cor. 7:1 NKJV)
"Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (Hebrews 12:28 NKJV)
" ... conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear." (1 Peter 1:17 NKJV)
"Save with fear." (Jude 19 NKJV)

Holy fear is a New Testament truth.
But do not confuse the 'spirit of fear' with the 'fear of the Lord.' There is a huge difference, and it is illustrated by what took place when Moses led the nation of Israel to Mount Sinai to meet with God.

Exodus 19:3-4 I NKJV
Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself.'

The chief reason for God's mighty deliverance was to gather all the people to Himself. He longed for them and desired a meeting so they could know Him as Moses did. Three days later God came down on the mountain to introduce Himself, but the people responded by quickly retreating. In terror they cried out to Moses, '"You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die"' (Exodus 20:19 NKJV).

So, God brought them to Himself, but the children of Israel withdrew themselves from Him.

Exodus 20:20 I NKJV
"'Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin."'

At first glance it seems Moses contradicts himself, "Do not fear because God has come to test you, that His fear may be before you." Is he speaking out of both sides of his mouth? The answer is ‘no.' Moses is merely differentiating between being 'scared of God' and 'the fear of the Lord.'

There is a huge difference.

Here's the difference: The person scared of God has something to hide.
Recall, in the garden, once Adam sinned, he and Eve hid from the presence of the Lord. Their reaction wasn't unique to them, but similar behavioral responses exist all throughout scripture in those who venture into darkness.

Contrast: The person who fears God, has nothing to hide.
He or she is terrified of being away from God. This is illustrated by the fact that while the people drew back, Moses simultaneously drew nearer to God. The person who fears God doesn't say within themselves, "How close can I get to the line of sin and not fall in?" No, he or she, says, "I want to be so close to God, and so far away from that line, that I can't even see it!”

Holy fear is not to be scared of and thereby withdraw from God.
It is to be terrified of being away from Him.

Psalm 25:14
The Lord is a friend to those who fear Him.

The firm reality is this: God wants to be close and intimate with you.
Holy fear does not quench intimacy, it does just the opposite, it enhances our interaction with God.

Holy Fear Defined
It's impossible to define holy fear in a single statement or even lesson. We will continue to grow in the fear of God and love of God throughout eternity.

Some say, "The fear of the Lord only means to 'reverently worship' God." You’ve probably heard these very words spoken by ministers from the pulpit. Their definition is a start, but far from the complete picture. It could be compared to merely defining the 'love of God' as being 'patient and kind.' It too is a start because Scripture confirms this defining quality in 1 Corinthians 13:4. But if we leave it there, we can fall short and miss the totality of what love is.

Benefits of Holy Fear
By the way, these are snippets of the many promises made to those who walk in it.
- The fear of the Lord is the starting place for an intimate relationship with God. We become His friends and His secrets are made know to us.
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, understanding and knowledge. It gives foresight and clear divine direction.
- The fear of the Lord is how we mature our salvation and are conformed to the image of Jesus.
- The fear of the Lord is clean, it produces true holiness in our lives.
- To abide in the fear of the Lord is to secure an eternal legacy.
- The fear of the Lord produces confidence, fearlessness, and security. It swallows up all other fears, including the fear of man.
- The fear of the Lord gives us identity, makes us productive and empowers us to multiply.
- The fear of the Lord provides angelic assistance, fulfilled desires, enduring success, nobility, influence, longevity, productive days, enjoyment in life, happiness, pleasure in labor, healing for our body, and so much more.
- The fear of the Lord endures forever, it will never fade out.

Holy fear is not to be scared of and thereby withdraw from God.
It is to be terrified of being away from Him.

Do you fear God?
Are you more afraid of being away from him than anything else?
Is what you do evidence of that?

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?