How can we develop and diversify the leadership base of

W O M E N ’ S IS THERE SUCH A THING? HEALTHY FEAR

“Noooooooooo!” Shouted three-year-old Janice, as she pushed her chubby little fingers into the wet nose of her new puppy. “I. Don’t. Like. Him. I’m sc-ar-ed!” She winced dramatically. Oblivious to rejection, the fat little, golden-doodle jumped and twisted and performed in seeming adoration of the defiant youngster, ignoring her push-back. By nightfall, the little furball had won the challenge, and the two became inseparable. They snuggled up to one another before falling fast asleep, and all was right in the world again.

I wonder if that’s how we are with Father God sometimes.

Psalms 34:11 says: “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the Fear of the Lord.”

Fear? I thought that was a negative word… Let’s explore its meanings here. Meriam Webster defines FEAR as follows:

Fear – noun

: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger : anxious concern: SOLICITUDE : profound reverence and awe especially toward God

Fear – verb

: to be afraid of: expect with alarm : to have reverential awe of (i.e., fear of God)

Certainly, FEAR can represent a positive or a negative depending on “WHO” you are fearing. The Bible teaches us that the FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10) This provides the argument that one is actually intelligent to FEAR God. Let’s give an example:

In the 26th Chapter of 2 Chronicles, we read that the people of Judah took 16-year-old Uzziah and made him King in place of his father Amaziah, who died. He reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father, Amaziah (and mother, Jekoliah) had done.

He sought God during the days of Zechariah, the prophet, and the scripture says that Zechariah “instructed” Uzziah in the FEAR of God and that as long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success!

This was evidenced by his successful war campaigns and vast, powerful, and well-trained military divisions. He also built up and fortified the walls of the city and created innovative (for their time) Towers and new devices of equipment for defense. He planted vineyards and dug cisterns and had great numbers of flocks and herds. God brought him wealth, and his fame spread far and wide, and he was greatly helped as long as he FEARED the Lord. (vs. 1-15) contains a PROMISE! As long as we “choose” (Fear is a choice) to turn our problems over to God – we can and eventually will enjoy Success. (vs. 5, 15) I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that this is NOT our natural inclination. After the fall of man, humankind was born with a propitiation towards FEAR. God put that into our DNA to help protect us by giving us a “fight or flight” mode in case of impending danger. However, the enemy has amplified that natural inclination towards FEAR and has used it to hold many people captive, crippling them with it, to try and rob us of God’s divine peace. Satan gives FEAR, DREAD, and DOOM. God gives PEACE, PROMISE, and PROVISION.

So, may we ALL choose, as Wise King Solomon declared in Proverbs 22:4; “Humility is the FEAR of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”

I’m praying for our Hurting World to Experience a Spiritual Awakening – and to FEAR and turn to the God of the Bible!

Susie Purkey

S U S I E P U R K E Y

WOMEN’S DIRECTOR SUSIE.PURKEY@OKAG.ORG