To fear and not be afraid

   Perhaps the most controversial or confusing of all paradoxes is the seeming dichotomy between the most often repeated command in Scripture "Fear Not" and the paramount, foundational injunction to fear the Lord. The phrase "fear of the Lord" is found 124 times in the Bible - 120 of those times in the Old Testament while "fear not" is found 150 times and split equally between the two Testaments.  Proverbs 1:7 states "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."  To begin to know anything, have any clue about truth, beauty and goodness, the world, universe or even to really know yourself - who you are and whose you are and what that means for life - you must start with this one thing; the fear of the Lord.  So, as I begin the conversation about paradoxes, it seems a good place to start. 

"To fear and not be afraid, this is the paradox of faith." A.W. Tozer.

   As I've studied the fear of the Lord, I find it is associated much with His power - He fights for us, fights against our enemies, demonstrates His power through mighty works, answers to prayer, helping in time of need and through creation.  It is associated with His Words that thunder and are like mighty waters, that wash over us, that are always true and right, with His presence which always changes things, with His "glorious and awesome name": Lord your God (Deut 28:58), with reading/writing His laws, His greatness, His mercy, the fact that He sees all and is FOR US!!!  He chooses those who fear Him for special tasks, gives a reward of long life and works all things for our good, giving us favor and reproving us.
     That is who He is, but what does it look like in a person to Fear GOD?  According to these 124 verses on the fear of the Lord, it looks like abstaining/fleeing from sin, protecting the vulnerable and honoring our elders, not oppressing others or taking advantage of them, being kind to servants or those "lower in station", teaching our children, obeying His commands, serving Him, keeping your word, walking in His ways, taking oaths in His name, loving Him, holding fast to Him, putting away idols, immediate obedience, ruling with justice, putting Him first, forgiving, being generous and honest, trembling before Him, our hearts delighting in Him and His ways, and constraining us to walk in wisdom. 
   This list isn't about just another set of rules to live by, legalism gone exhaustive, a checklist to follow.  No, it is a byproduct, a natural occurrence like breathing, walking, heart beating as one grows in fearing the Lord which is a natural byproduct of knowing Him, really seeing Him for who He is!
   I think often when we hear the words "fear of the Lord" it seems to connotate distance, standing back in trembling, shielding yourself but this is a God who wants us to draw near, love Him, hold fast to Him who is ALL POWERFUL and ALL FOR US.  So, in the midst of fearing Him, we have nothing to fear because He is for us!  Isaiah 41:10,13 "Fear not, for I am with you.  Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  Yes, I will help you.  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you: 'Fear not, I will help you.'" 
  Fear and nothing to fear...to be continued.