Malachi 3:16-18
“16Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. 17“They will be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” 18So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.”
I am amazed at the way the Lord responds to holy fear of HIMself. We sometimes get the whole fear thing confused and misplaced in our heart and mind. Or at least I do. Battling fear has been a very big part of my life, and HIS word echoed in my heart over and over and over…You don’t need to fear anything as long as you have a healthy fear of ME.
Psalm 111:10
10 ” The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.”
Psalm 33:18
“The eyes of the Lord on those who fear HIM, those whose hope is in His unfailing love”
Psalms 34:7
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”
There are hundreds of verses that give direction to fear the Lord, or to fear not the things that come
against us. God is good and faithful, and HE knew we would struggle with fear, HE also gave us the
way to overcome it…simple instructions…fear only HIM, and trust HIM to love and keep HIS eyes on
us, and HE will take care of the rest. I think the enemy shoots arrows of fear at us at times, to steal
our joy and peace, and just to be a distraction…but we are overcomers…Keeping GOD in HIS place
and not allowing another to take HIS place even for a minute.
Thank you my King for making us yours, for keeping a book of remembrance, keeping your eyes on
us and never sleeping..we are so very safe in your arms. Thank you for reminding me that when the
enemy attacks, it is only because he cannot attack you, and walking in YOUR shadow, remembering
your words on fear, there is no earthly thing to fear. Desperate for you, remembering to tremble in
your presence before jumping on your lap! Your princess, who knows you know best!
ponderings of a princess... 
so good! also, i hope those cookies were good!! 🙂 I was a little insecure about it when rod did not eat them. 🙂
jenny- just came from your blog..and you were here! 🙂
girl those cookies are gone!! and hubs is wondering when I can make some more!
I love this post. I always feared God, but it was the “do not approach Him” kind of fear instead of the loving respect I have for Him now. He is so good to us all of the time. Hope your weekend was good and restful and your week be blessed.
Love you Darla, Laurie
Fear is something that I have to constantly pray about for myself, especially right now in my life. I sat in bed last night praying the exact thing you just wrote on. I should fear nothing but Him, he is my everything and nothing can harm me when I allow him to take control!
Such a good reminder. When we have that respectful fear of God, all else falls in line. I love that.
I too battle the “other” kind of fear and have for years. These verses were great today!
I so appreciate your love and passion for the Lord!
steph.
something that worked for me…is go to one of the free bible sites (one on my page) and put in the search for “fear”…you will find so much peace reading through the verses, and you won’t be able to finishreading them..there is so many..I read them out loud, and watch the enemy run..he is only trying to keep us in fear, because of his own fear of what God has called us too…and he can not stop it, he can only try to keep us in a corner. Love you Princess
Fear of the Lord is different than “FEAR”. The NT says (see Timothy) “God has not given us a spirit of fear but power. love and a sound mind”. It also says that perfect love casts out fear. Sounds like a conflict really. Here it is…the fear of the Lord is a reverence and very healthy respect. Jesus (PERFECT LOVE) overcomes fear. Jesus was sent to be the connector of men with God.
cbgrace- i agree with you. I do agree that the fear of the Lord is reverence..remebering who HE is in all HIS attributes…its really not a conflict..we really have to keep God high above the rest in our life..and Scripture really is all that works..thanks for visiting and hope you come back soon!
Great post! Thank you, Darla. I am always so encouraged by your faith and by you sharing with us what you are learning from Him!
I struggle with fear as well at times. The Lord is so patient with me. His perfect love continues to cast it out of me…I can’t wait for the day I stand without fear and go forward in confidence of Him. What an awesome day that will be. Love you and awesome post!!!!
I love you Ladies!!! I never knew we could feel such a closeness in our faith family, and you all are the most beautiful gift to me from the Father!
Darla,
It is interesting..this fear thing. I have never struggled with fear of earthly things–that’s just not my struggle. Now, control–that’s my struggle. However, just in the past few weeks–actually since I have answered the call to begin a speaking/teaching ministry–I have become a bit fearful of “GROWING OLD” of all things. I so don’t want to grow old and I dread the thought of not having anyone to care for me. I have no children, so I guess I’ll have to bribe my nephews and my step-son with “inheritance” to take care of me. Oh, well, maybe Jesus will return before I have to deal with that.
I know that the Lord will be there to care for me and provide for me so I don’t know why I have even given that fear an inch!! Get behind me, Satan!! You have no authority here!!
Leah
http://www.thepoint-leah.blogspot.com
I have struggled with the fear of dying all my life. I remember the day it hit me for the first time. i was int he 3rd grade. It came over me like a flood of dark clouds with daggers in them. I couldn’t run to my room fast enough. The clouds had followed me in. I was always afraid of losing my Mom. I just knew that one of the beatings from her boyfriend would take her life and I would be an orphan. So unfortunately these circumstances surrounded my first thoughts on death.
Fast forward 25+ years later one summer reading Heaven by Randy Alcorn when God spoke a mighty word to me. He said, Tam…don’t be ashamed of not wanting ‘death’ – because when i first had you in mind, in the very beginning, you weren’t meant to die. That wasn’t how you were created (before the fall) so you are responding to a natural instinct. You KNOW you were supposed to live forever without a physical death. I have fixed that for you. Have no fear!”
I was blown away by that! I ran out and told everyone what God had told me! It was amazing!
Sorry, i just HAD to share that!
Good post. That first verse in Malachi is one that I love. Fear of the Lord is what we need. I do think perhaps much of the worlds problems today are caused because there is a lack of fear of the Lord.
Thanks for this reminder. As someone who has struggled with fear of everything else over the years this is a good reminder.
Blessings and much love friend,
Angela
Thank you for this post. It encouraged me. 🙂