A Good Father

"The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether." - Psalm 19:9

     Have you ever loved something you've been afraid of? Most people either avoid what they are afraid of, or face their fears and try to overcome them. Sometimes our fears tend to be something small, like being afraid of failing a test, to something large, like being afraid of a carnivorous wild animal. Smaller fears, such as failing a test, are fears that we need to live with and deal with on a daily basis. There isn't much danger in these, and they can usually be overcome by addressing them. Larger fears, like wild animals, are fears of something that could do personal harm to us, and the things we're afraid of should probably be avoided. I believe God gave us those fears to teach us caution and to help keep us safe. What we're afraid of and how serious the fear is can be determined by common sense.

     So, when the Bible tells us to fear God, where exactly does that fit? And why should we be afraid of someone who is supposed to love us? Is God dangerous?

     The fear of God is a fear that should be taken very seriously. No, God is not malicious; He is, in fact, very loving, but He also will not be mocked. The Bible also refers to God many, many times as a Father.

     "Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?..." Malachi 2:10a

     When you think of God as a Father, the fear aspect makes more sense. God is not malicious, and that's not what the fear should be based on, but it should be a respectful fear. God is a good Father. In fact, He's the best there is. A good father raises his children to respect him, love him, and fear the consequences of disobeying. A good father doesn't punish his children just because he feels like it, but to correct them on their path, such as correcting a bad behavior or habit. A good father shows love to his children and is happy for them when things are going well. When a father balances love and discipline correctly, as he is taught in the Bible, he will earn his child's respect.

     Yes, we are to fear God, but not in a bad way. If we pursue a relationship with Him and have that respect for Him, our fear will not be based on trying to avoid punishment, but it will be based on not wanting to disappoint Him. Our fear will be based on love, just as we don't want to hurt others that we love.

     God is patient, and He is not quick to hand out judgment, but He knows our hearts, and He will correct us when the need is there, especially if we take a step down a sinful path that leads away from Him. He will always try to direct us back.

     When that happens, do we throw a fit, blame God, say He hates us, and continue on the path anyway?

     Or do we love and respect Him, and do what it takes to come back to Him? Life is always better when we are covered in His blessings than when we stray and try to do things "on our own."