Truth in Love

[1] My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,
[2] making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
[3] yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
[4] if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
[5] then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

ESV: Proverbs 2:1-5

Originally, I was going to start with the topic of identity as I see it the foundation for our ability to change and heal through Gods love for us. Yet my heart feels drawn ever more to these verses on wisdom and understanding the fear of the Lord. Admittedly, I don’t understand what it means. Yet, so much of the Bible expresses the need to fear the Lord.

I have heard it expressed that the fear of the Lord is not the same fear you have when facing an angry dog or a formidable illness. That the fear of the Lord is more like the awe inspired fear of large ocean waves, the strength and coldness of the mountains, or the depth and mystery of space. All beyond our understanding or strength yet we sit under their authority and give our respect to the natures of these environments because we know to violate their nature is to put us into harms way. Even though we see their formidable natures humanity is drawn to them and their glory and wonder.

I watched a wonderful and tragic movie named The Alpinist about a mountaineer named Marc-Andre Leclerc. He often would ascend the mountains alone which is very dangerous and not advised. He most often would climb with no rope to save him if he fell which is called free solo climbing. He had such a great respect for the mountain and only found that he was free while under the danger of the cliffs. The hope he expressed before he passed away due to the unforgiving nature of the mountain was truly inspiring in a really odd way. Yet, if he knew Jesus, I would bet he would understand the fear of the Lord better than most.

This does not sound like a hopeful message for the fear of the Lord by using these environmental wonders and their terrible power and authority over humanity. However, these are examples of inanimate, non-relational, un-loving, awe-inspiring, glory filled, aspects of Gods creation. I have this image or impression in my mind right now of sitting in awe at the feet of Jesus. The awe is similar to that of looking at the big wave, the cold mountain, or the mysteries of deep space, yet it is missing the need to protect yourself by creating that separation and respect of the domain. Why would it be missing though. This is the guy, the God, who spoke the universe into existence. He spoke the glory into the mountains. He spoke the power into the sea. His authority is so much greater than the wave or the mountain. Yet, as you sit at his feet, he looks at you with tender eyes as a good father looks down on his sons and daughters. With all the love and care in the world for YOU.

The difference between the awe inspired fear of the Lord is that he is for YOU, and loves YOU. Just as humans are drawn to the glory of his creation in the sea and the mountains despite their danger and authority over them. When we accept Jesus how much more can we be drawn into his arms in the awe-inspired fear I’m trying to paint a picture of. His power and authority over us is a safe place to be. He is our redeemer and hope. Yet, when he created us he respected our independence and gives us the ability to choose certain paths through life. He lets us look away (although, there are verses that describe him as the good Sheppard and he will come to our aid when we are in true danger if we are his). When we choose to submit ourselves to him in awe and fear. We are submitting our hearts to redemption and healing. No hurt and scar we have collected through our time here is un-redeemable by his Grace. Yet, so often we choose to hold on to our own understanding rather than his and our progression through life is slow down. Yet if you are His, you will never be lost.

A short summary:

I feel the nudge to pursue understanding this “fear of the Lord”. I have presented what I believe it looks like and used analogies (which always fall short of true understanding) to express how I envision the fear of the Lord and it’s impact. Yet, nothing of what I wrote about is very actionable or life applicable and I think He intends for us to be capable of unraveling its meaning and its safety and its power that is meant for us to wield through life. I believe through the fear of the Lord we are able to submit ourselves rightfully to him. Handing him the permission (rather than power since he certainly already has the power, he just respects the free will he gave to us in our creation) to heal our afflictions, scars, and oppressions.


I want these discussion posts to be an open forum where we can present our ideas or encouragement or questions as we all seek the truth of the Bible that Jesus intends for us to wield in our own lives and the lives of others.




As I consider how to organize this site and am learning how it even works, I think these blog posts are going to be honest expressions of my thoughts, hopes, convictions, and experiences. It appears I can make pages as well as blog posts, so the pages will be where I put the results of my studies or findings. I hope you can feel comfortable to bring your ideas to the conversation even if they don’t agree with what I or others are suggesting. I certainly am not the guy with all the answers. I’m just genuinely wanting to share and be part of a community seeking truth and sharing truth boldly for the kingdom of Jesus.

Related Pages
– These will go into more detail of the topic, using more biblical references and theologian sources to backup the ideas. However, these will always be a work in progress and may be quite empty as I learn and find resources.

If you want to join this journey of looking carefully into God’s word and finding how it applies to your daily life you can get email notifications when there are new posts to interact with. Although, I’m not sure how this works yet, so no promises this first one will work!