The Fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord is a major theme in the book of Proverbs.  The phrase is used thirteen times:

1. Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
2. Proverbs 1:29
Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
3. Proverbs 2:5
then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
4. Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
5. Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
6. Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
7. Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
8. Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
9. Proverbs 15:16
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
10. Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
11. Proverbs 16:6
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
12. Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
13. Proverbs 23:17
Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.

To fear the Lord is to have a holy reverence, a humble awe, and respect for his person and power.  As Hebrews 10:31 says, "It is a fearful thing to fall in the hands of the living God."  The fear of the Lord is the posture of the Christian.  We don't fear final judgement because of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, but our hearts are prostrate as we consider the majesty and glory of our great God.  

How does this reality impact our worship gatherings as the Body of Christ?