"But it will not be well with the wicked
. . . because he does not fear before God."
Ecclesiastes 8:13
A woman said to her pastor, "I thought fear is a bad thing, but I read in the Bible yesterday that we should fear God. I'm confused. Is fear a good thing or a bad thing?" Her pastor said, "Both. It can be a good thing or a bad thing. God loves us and doesn't want us to live in fear of bad things. However, when the Bible speaks of fearing God, it means that we should reverence Him." The pastor helped her to understand the difference.
The wicked have no fear of God, because they are not in a personal, covenant relationship with Him. The fear of God is a sure sign of being in covenant with God. He puts His fear in our hearts. God says, "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me" (Jeremiah 32:40). If the fear or reverence for God is in your heart, then you are in covenant with Him. He will continue to do you good, and you shall not depart from Him.
One of the sure signs of man's depravity is no fear of God. "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:18). They may hear the warnings of God concerning judgment, but it is foolishness to them, until and unless, their hearts are changed toward God. The fear of bad things is tormenting. The Bible encourages us many times not to be afraid. On the other hand, the Bible commands us to fear or reverence God, that His covenant blessings shall be ours. He wants to do good in our lives, and promises not to turn away from doing good for us. He doesn't want us to depart from His goodness. That's what fearing God means.
God, put Your fear in our hearts that we may never depart from You.
