Fear means different things to different people. To professional
golfer Padraig Harrington, it is a motivator to help him perform
his very best. In 2008, when he won both the British Open and
the PGA Championship, Harrington said, “Yes, fear is a big part
of me. I’d like to say that I have all the trust and patience
and I’m relaxed. No, that’s not my makeup. [Fear] pushes me on.
Keeps me getting to the gym. I have to work with it and use it.”
Maybe it’s the fear of failure, or the fear of losing his edge,
but Harrington finds fear to be a useful thing in his
professional life.
The follower of Christ can also be helped by fear. We are
challenged in the Scriptures to a reverential fear of God, which
is the best type of fear that there is. It causes us to be
concerned about disobeying Him or living in opposition to His
ways. It’s being in awe of our great God, bowing to His perfect
will, and seeking His wisdom for living. To that end, the
proverb declares, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”
(Prov. 9:10).
By fearing God rightly, we can live wisely in an uncertain
world. — Bill
Crowder
God dwells in light and holiness,
In splendor and in might;
And godly fear of His great power
Can help us do what’s right. —D. De Haan
Fear God, and you’ll have nothing else to fear.