The Fear of the Lord
Pastor Joel Bernardino — October 09, 2025
Introduction
Church, today we’re talking about something powerful — something that shapes how we live, how we worship, and how we walk with God.
It’s called the fear of the Lord.
Now, when we say “fear,” we don’t mean being afraid of God as if He were a monster hiding in the dark.
No — the fear of the Lord means having deep respect and reverence for God, because He loves you, He cares for you, and you want to honor Him with your life.
Let’s start by clearing up what the fear of the Lord is NOT.
The Fear of the Lord is NOT:
• Being terrified of God as if He’s angry or cruel.
• Thinking that God wants to hurt you or punish you unfairly.
• Feeling distant from God, or believing you can’t trust Him.
1. The Start of Our Close Relationship with God
Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
The fear of the Lord is the beginning — the starting point — of an intimate relationship with God.
When you begin to walk in the fear of the Lord, something happens deep inside you.
You’ll notice that you’re getting closer to God.
There’s a deep joy — an unforgettable experience — because you’re not just believing about God anymore... you’re experiencing Him for yourself.
To fear the Lord means to stand in awe — to show great respect and honor — because He is both powerful and loving.
You begin to desire to please Him.
You want to follow His ways — not out of duty, but out of love.
You’re amazed at how great, how kind, and how faithful He is.
And you find yourself saying, “Lord, it’s such a joy to serve You — because You are worthy of all my service.”
When you truly fear the Lord, you obey Him right away.
That’s why, as believers, we have to ask:
What do we say about people who claim to be Christians — but their lifestyle tells a different story?
The truth is this:
Real Christians have the fear of God in their hearts.
Those who truly fear God will not continue in sin.
Illustration:
Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac is one of the clearest examples of this.
His obedience showed deep reverence and complete trust in God.
When you fear the Lord, you also begin to hate evil.
You start loving what God loves — and rejecting what He rejects.
You stand against lies, cheating, corruption, and every evil work.
This kind of holy fear purifies your heart and teaches you to value God’s ways above the opinions of people.
Note:
Let’s pray that our government leaders will have this same fear of the Lord — that they will take a stand against corruption.
When that happens, by God’s grace, our nation will be blessed with peace and divine favor.
When you truly revere the Lord, you also tremble at His Word.
To fear God means to take His Word seriously — to obey even when it’s hard, even when you don’t see the benefits right away.
This reverence will lead you to walk in wisdom and understanding.
2. Our Assurance of God’s Provision, Protection, and Long Life
Psalm 34:7 — “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”
When we walk in the fear of the Lord, we can expect His blessings — His covering — His care.
Let’s look at what God promises to those who fear Him.
Divine Provision
God provides for those who honor Him.
David said he had been young and then old — but he never saw the righteous forsaken, nor their children begging for bread.
“Those who fear Him lack nothing.” — Psalm 34:9
When you fear the Lord, you can rest assured: He will meet your needs.
Protection and Security
The fear of the Lord keeps you safe from sin and disobedience.
It keeps your heart in the right place.
Those who reverence God can trust in His protection and care.
“The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.” — Psalm 25:12–14
God watches over those who walk in holy fear.
Length of Days
God also promises a longer, more meaningful life to those who walk in reverence before Him.
That comes when you:
• Honor your father and mother.
• Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit.
• Hide God’s commands in your heart.
“The fear of the Lord adds length to life.” — Proverbs 10:27
Honor and Riches
Scripture says that the fear of the Lord brings honor, riches, and long life.
It’s not just about money — it’s about living a life that’s full of blessing, integrity, and respect.
Those who fear the Lord often receive:
• Material blessings and provision.
• Dignity, respect, and a good name.
• A long and fulfilling life — both now and eternally.
Wisdom and Understanding
The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
It helps you make right decisions and navigate the challenges of life.
Let’s look at some examples of people who walked in this kind of holy fear:
• Noah: He didn’t follow the world’s ways. He obeyed God and built the ark, even when everyone mocked him.
• Abraham: He trusted God completely — leaving his comfort zone to follow God’s call, even without knowing where he was going.
• Joseph: He resisted temptation. He refused to sin with Potiphar’s wife, choosing purity over pleasure.
• Daniel: He prayed to God even when it was against the law — showing his unshakable faith.
• Mary: She humbly accepted God’s plan, saying, “Let it be to me according to Your word.”
• Matthew: He left his successful job as a tax collector to follow Jesus, proving the power of a surrendered heart.
3. A Path to Grow and Strengthen Your Connection with God
The fear of the Lord is not a one-time event — it’s a journey.
A daily walk of deepening reverence and devotion to God.
Proverbs 16:6 — “Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.”
So how can we grow in the fear of the Lord?
1. Keep in Step with God Through Prayer
Spend time with God in prayer and worship.
Take time to pause — to reflect — to let His presence strengthen you.
Worship is more than just singing songs.
It’s lifting up His name with reverence and awe.
Let every day be a day of prayer, of worship, of drawing near to God.
2. Continue to Surrender Your Life to Him
As you obey God’s Word and surrender your life, your reverence for Him grows deeper.
How can we tell that we’re developing a closer walk with God?
• We become more aware of our thoughts, our actions, and our words.
• We become more careful with what we say.
• Even when someone offends us, we choose not to respond with hurtful words — but with grace.
That’s a sign that the fear of the Lord is growing in your life.
3. Regularly Seek God by Meditating on His Word
Make time for His guidance.
Let God speak to you through His Word.
Meditate on Scripture and allow it to shape your heart.
As you do, you’ll find your reverence for Him growing stronger each day.
Conclusion
When the fear of the Lord becomes your way of life — everything changes.
You develop a deep respect for God because you know He loves and cares for you.
You want to honor Him in all that you do.
You obey Him without hesitation because you trust Him completely.
And you make wise choices because you live by His Word.
So remember:
The fear of the Lord means having deep reverence for God — because He loves you, He cares for you, and He is worthy of all your honor and obedience.
