Donna K I am a blessed mother of five children and four grandchildren. I love to encourage and strengthen other women with the same encouragement I've received from the Lord, who is "the Father of mercies and God of all comfort" View all articles | Contact author

Fear:  A Key to Treasure

When I was a kid I used to comb the beach on Lake Superior for hours at a time, searching for agates, which are semi-precious stones.  If I found one I would run to show everyone my find.  I came across a verse recently that reminded me of the excitement I used to feel.  It's found in Isaiah 33:7:  "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."  What a find! 

Every verse in the Bible is precious, but at times God seems to highlight certain verses for us.  In these unstable days when fear or anxiety seem ready at a moment's notice to wrap their tentacles around our hearts, this verse can give us the strength to carry on.  The fear of the Lord is the key to experiencing the Lord as a source of deliverance, aid, victory, wisdom, knowledge, and everything else that we need.

Now, I don't know about you, but I am doing all I can to eliminate fear from my life, but with a verse like that is makes me want to do all I can to get more of it.  This fear is different from the every day, run-of-the-mill, tormenting fear.  This is fear of God!  It's awe, wonder, worship, love, reverence, fear, all wrapped up together.  I'm reminded of Mr. Beaver's comment to Lucy about Aslan the lion in C.S. Lewis's book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, "Course he isn't safe.  But he's good.  He's the king, I tell you." 

The Bible tells us that "our God is a consuming fire and that we're to worship Him "with reverence and awe".  (Hebrews 12:28-29) But Jesus said He's the good shepherd who knows His sheep and lays down His life for his sheep. (John 10:11,14) Oh, I want to learn more about fearing this God!

I've found so many promises in the Bible for those who fear Him.  To name a few, He promises to satisfy them (Prov. 19:23), meet all their needs (Ps. 34:9), take pleasure in them (Ps. 147:11), and provide wisdom to them (Ps. 111:10).  In fact, an abundance of goodness is stored up for those who fear Him. (Ps. 31:19) Psalm 25:12-14 to me was like a 10 carat diamond:  "Who is the man who fears the Lord?  Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.  His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.  The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant."

I pray that, think about it, claim it, and remind God of it.  May we all learn to fear Him more and find in Him the greatest treasure in all the universe.