The Fear of God Brings Blessings

“How blessed is everyone who fears Yehovah” (Psalm 128:1). People do not typically think of “fear” as a source of blessing; however, the fear of God is different.

To fear God is to revere Him, to show love for Him by obeying His commandments. “How blessed is the man who fears Yehovah, who greatly delights in His commandments” (Psalm 112:1). Loving God through obedience is the source blessings and is a delight and not a burden.

In the Biblical definition of fear, we immediately find two blessings – wisdom and knowledge. “The fear of Yehovah is the beginning of wisdom,” (Proverbs 9:10). “The fear of Yehovah is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). We benefit from God’s wisdom and knowledge as it gives us courage and direction to face life’s challenges, “to fear YEHOVAH our God [is] for our good always and for our survival” (Deuteronomy 6:24).

The fear of Yehovah gives life. “The fear of Yehovah is a fountain of life” (Proverbs 14:27). A life that is fulfilling and a benefit to others, “The fear of Yehovah prolongs life” (Proverbs 10:27). A life that God gives direction and purpose “He will instruct him in the way he should choose” (Psalm 25:12). A life lived in confidence allowing us to face the challenges we will encounter, “In the fear of Yehovah there is strong confidence” (Proverbs 14:26). In summary, the Bible promises that those who honor God will “abide in well-being” (Psalm 25:15).

The essence of God’s love for us and compassion towards us is captured in the Hebrew word checed. Checed is translated as mercy, loving-kindness, and favor. God responds to our reverence for Him and His Word by demonstrating His checed towards us. “But the lovingkindness of YEHOVAH is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:17).

Because we experience His checed we can put our trust in Him, “You who fear Yehovah, trust in Yehovah; He is their help and their shield” (Psalm 115:11). When we trust in His checed we need not fear men, “Oh let those who fear Yehovah say, ‘His lovingkindness is everlasting... I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Psalm 118:4-6).

When we fear God and trust in His checed, we need not fear the future. The peace and confidence this gives us is of infinite value. “He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of Yehovah is his [the believer’s] treasure” (Isaiah 33:6).

God promises to provide for those who fear him “For to those who fear Him there is no want” (Psalm 34:9). This not a promise of earthly wealth because in God’s economy, “Better is a little with the fear of Yehovah than great treasure and turmoil with it.” (Proverbs 15:16).

When we revere God, we become beneficiaries of His checed. We can trust in His direction and protection in our lives. “How blessed is everyone who fears Yehovah, who walks in His ways” (Psalm 128:1).