In this world, many do not fear God. Fearing God means showing respect and awe toward Him. Fearing God is one of the foundations of a life that will please God and bring us spiritual blessings. Consider what the Bible says about the need to fear God.

1. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10) There is much knowledge in this world, but knowing the difference between what is worth knowing and what is worthless begins with a humble attitude toward God and His wisdom. Submission to God's wisdom is the first step to discerning and approving "things that are excellent." (Philippians 1:9-10) In the school of Bible learning, we arrive at an understanding of the true meaning of life.
   
   
2. "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Our tasks on this earth boil down to fearing God and obeying His word. Fearing and obeying are not two distinct ideals, but one way of life. If we fear God, we will keep His commandments. If we do not keep His commandments, it is because we do not fear. The apostle Peter restated this truth at the house of Cornelius when he said, "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." (Acts 10:35) This is everyone's lifetime purpose.
   
   
3. "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28) We give our utmost respect to those who have the highest positions of authority and power. Man may try to convince us that we should follow his dictates at all times, but God always has the highest authority (cf. John 19:11). We should respect and fear civil authorities, but when they turn against what is godly, we should not allow them to intimidate us. God will always have greater power, and we must remain faithful to Him. "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6)
   
   
4. "Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (Hebrews 12:28) The next verse adds, "For our God is a consuming fire." (v.29) If we understand who God is and all that He has done for us, how could we refuse to serve Him in fear? Knowing His terrible wrath toward sin (cf. 10:26-31), who could defy His loving words of salvation? Let us learn from the godly fear of Noah, who obeyed God's instructions (11:7), and Jesus, who lived a perfect life in godly fear (5:7).

As the song says, "We are weak, but He is strong." A healthy dose of godly fear is good for us. Knowing we will stand before Almighty God in judgment, let us show fear (respect) for His name and humbly submit to His sovereign will.