Fear and Obedience

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

 Have you ever wondered about your life’s purpose…why you are here? Most people have, at some point, thought about that question. No amount of money, success, or fame will exempt you from the deep need to matter. We all long for purpose…to know that at the end of the day, our lives have made a difference. While this might not be as important to some people as others, in the deepest part of who we are, we all want to believe that there is something bigger than the here and now. We want to know that all of this isn’t for nothing…that there is, well, more to our stories.

The truth is, the purpose of your life does not revolve around you. The purpose of your life revolves around God. We were all created to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. This cannot happen without a healthy fear of the Lord. When you understand that the God who created you and loves you sent His Son to die for your sins so that He could have an eternal relationship with you, it should evoke a sense of awe and respect in your heart towards God. This healthy fear should cause you to desire to please Him in all you do. It should cause you to fear anything that might displease Him.

Let’s face it; our world is in disarray. Politically and socially, we are hanging on by a thread. There is such divisiveness, such disrespect, such hatred and violence. Everywhere you look there are protests or riots of some kind. No amount of education, or passing of laws can fix what is broken. Why? Because as a Nation, we have totally lost the fear of God. Politicians fear public opinion more than they fear God. Students fear being unpopular more than they fear God. People fear criticism and the accusation of being intolerant more than they fear God. We have collectively lost our fear of the Lord.

What does the fear of the Lord have to do with your life’s purpose? You will never fulfill the purpose for which you were created until you fear the Lord. As Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, fearing God and obeying Him is the whole duty of every person. When we humbly fear Him, we can receive Him and get to know Him. When we humbly obey Him, we can be used by Him, fulfilling the purpose for which we have been created.

Dear Lord, I want to live a life of fear and obedience to you. I want to honor you, respect you, and follow you, whatever that entails. Please keep that desire lit within me so that I may continue to live my life surrendered to you. In Jesus' name, amen.