“Fear the Lord your God,” hmmm?  What could that mean? Be afraid of God and His wrath or judgement or stand in awe of His omnipotence and holiness, or both meanings?
Fear conjures up a “flight” meaning for me. To worry or fret or fear something, to me means “release” me from it, flight. Often growing up I heard fear is the opposite of faith and they cannot cohabitate. Fear must be a natural part of humanity as there are scholars who say it is mentioned at least 365/366 times in the Bible. “Fear Not…” one for each day of the year, including Leap Year.

In reading Psalms, I hear the writers’ plea for that release from fear. Some Psalms seem to be pleas to building soul, heart, strength, faith and trust. As I have sought the Lord and His guidance for my life, I know many of my fears have been laid to rest. God is “awe”-some as He breaks the clutches of fear and my need to flee situations or circumstances and instead bathes me in comfort and peace.

I choose to believe that “fear not” is God speaking to me saying, “… delve into Me and know Me, as I am the strength and faith that you need. Trust Me.” God loves each of us unconditionally, so much so that His word provides daily (365+1 times) reminders to banish fear and lean on Him.

Jill