“I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.” Psalm 119:15

“The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it.” Charles Spurgeon.

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Apostle Paul, Philippians 2:12

We are called to fear God. We are not called to a spirit of fear. We are called to honor Him, submit to Him and declare Him as LORD of our lives – and in order to do so, we must know Him. This book has brought me to a more intimate place and was used to challenge and convict me. This book has been written to remind the people of God what our actual role with God is. This book has been used mightily to teach me what fearing God is and why it matters. He has invited us into relationship with Him on purpose, by design – why would we ever say no?! We are not made for this world – it is much grandeur than this beautiful place.

In week one, day three, Bevere says the following,

“To fear God is to Hallow Him.

To fear God is to esteem, respect, honor, venerate, adore Him above anyone or anything else.

To fear God is to hate sin.

To fear God is to hate injustice.

To fear God is to depart from evil in every sense – thought, word, and action.

To fear God is to walk in authentic humility before God and mankind.

To fear God is to obey Him.

To fear God is to ABSTAIN FROM EVERY FORM OF complaining, murmuring, or grumbling.

The fear of the LORD shapes our intentions, thoughts, words, and actions.”

I was challenged with the overwhelming thought, nearly on every page, do I truly fear God? I have been a Christian for nearly thirty years – and I would say most of it truly pursuing Him, His Word, His fellowship with other believers, His Mission for the Kingdom. But have I ever considered, do I truly fear God? Does my life, or should I say the fruit of my life, reflect a true submission of my will to His Will.

I appreciate Bevere’s further explanation in his book The King is Coming where he states the following, “One who fears God is not afraid of Him; rather, he or she is terrified of being away from Him.” Am I truly terrified of missing Him for a moment? Am I so afraid of following the wrong voice that I discipline myself to consume His Word before ever starting my full day? Do I truly fear the God that I have stated as my Redeemer, Messiah and Friend? The God that I declare publicly as my LORD?

This book is not set up like a normal book on Christian education, encouragement and teaching. Bevere does a great job of breaking it down into small, manageable chapters with the intention that you read one-two chapters per day for 3-6 weeks. He desires that you truly slow down enough to embrace the message found within each chapter and truly seek the truth in prayer.

“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding…. nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 3:13, 15. True Godly Wisdom is only found in salvation. Not through experience, but in salvation and sanctification – just ask James. And when that person has found it, JOY follows. To find wisdom – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of all wisdom.” Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10. The fear of the Lord… why do so few of us have joy? Where is the wisdom? Where is the fear?

I originally purchased this book because I felt like I needed to read it before I read the other book I really wanted to read of Bevere’s called The King is Coming. I have never been more thankful that I did. Sadly, I go to church every Sunday, participate in many Bible Study groups, listen to podcasts, worship music, etc… and as of late my fear of God has dwindled. I think it comes with being in the Christian scene – it is easy to follow the crowd, even though God has called and declared in you a different mission and a different calling. Rarely in my life have I ever been one to follow the crowd. I tend to be more of the challenger, the questioner, the kid in class no one wants to raise their hand so that class ends early. And this study has reignited a fire within me that I did not even realize had gone out – true, vibrant, real, joyful, wise, fear of God.

I don’t want to be, even for one minute, in one place the Lord doesn’t desire me to be. AND I don’t want to miss being in the exact spot He has crafted me and placed me to be in. I want Him. I want His perfect Will for my life. I want His perfect Will for my family. YOUR Will be done in the Haley home on earth as it is in Heaven. And LORD, may I finish well….

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into His Glorious Presence without a single fault.” Jude 24 | Be it unto me, LORD.