Does "Fear the Lord" Really Mean "Respect the Lord"?

June 17th:

My answer is no. For the past seven (or more) years of my life, it has been repeated over and over: "We should fear the Lord, but when we say fear we don't actually mean FEAR, we mean RESPECT and AWE, because that's more socially acceptable and un-scary." Okay, usually people left off the bit after the because. But really, haven't you heard that before? "We shouldn't actually FEAR God, just give Him proper respect." I think this amazingly wrong interpretation of the Bible is a result of the Church being embarrassed of its beliefs. We are told countless times in the Bible that we should FEAR the Lord, so why are we telling everyone that we are just respecting Him? Aren't we practically announcing to the world that we are directly disobeying our God and His Word?

I think when the Bible says "fear" it means "fear". Not "respect", "love", "honor". Yes, we are ALSO told to do all those things, but that's not what God is saying when He says "fear". I think we are actually supposed to have fear struck into our hearts at the idea of God and His power - actual fear, not merely understanding of His greatness and acceptance of that fact. Fall on our faces, trembling fear. Fear we can't even comprehend until we feel it. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, John, and many others felt that crippling fear when they experienced God, why shouldn't we? We are told to fear Him as they did.

A verse I was asked to consider tonight at college group was this: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" -Proverbs 1:7a.

The first things that came to mind were: 1. first we need fear, then we can have knowledge 2. how do we get that fear? 3. we have to ASK God to give us fear of Him.

What a strange thought.

We hear occasionally of people asking God to send them trials and tribulations so that they grow closer to Him, but have you ever heard of someone asking for Him to strike fear into their hearts? I sure haven't. But I think that's something I have to begin praying for, because if I want to EVER have true knowledge, I'm gonna have to have the fear first, and only God can give me that. You can't just think really hard and begin to fear God. You have to see Him - His works, His face, His love - in a radical way. You don't actually fear God if you have to think about it; you will automatically fear Him when you know Him deeply.

So, I want to fear the Lord. Like, really fear. And the only way of gaining that is through God, so I think praying for Him to give me it would be a good place to start.

After the fear, there is always this phrase "fear not, nor be afraid" because once you've been crippled by your fear, God steps in with His love and wisdom and you don't have to be afraid any longer. I'd like that. Wouldn't you?

Sorry for rambling a bit, I'm tired >.< Consider my thoughts, comment on things, and keep it classy.