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Fear of the Lord
Life would be very different if our only fear were fear of the Lord. (Matthew 14.22-33)
Context
We live in a world of fear: from fear of wearing the same party clothes as someone else or missing an episode of a television show, to fears of our own or others’ sickness, injury or death. Between the trivial and the significant lie all the other fears – of police officers or asylum seekers, of not being promoted or not being liked, of losing a loved one or a button, of a stained shirt or reputation, of being beaten in an exam or a prison cell, of lovelessness, thoughtlessness, homelessness, hopelessness…and more. Most insidious of all fears, perhaps, is what’s now called ‘FOMO’, fear of missing out.
On reflection, it may seem strange that we use the same English words – ‘fear’, ‘scared’, ‘afraid’ – for our attitude to breaking a shoelace, as for our attitude to climate change. But all fears have one thing in common: the future; and fear of the future has been around for as long as human beings have had time to think about it. Perhaps the classic attempt to address fear – the insurance policy – dates back to around 1750 BCE!
There’s no avoiding the truth that our lives are governed largely by fear. Every day we face choices that may bring us closer to, or further from, the realisation of these fundamental fears. We can all choose whether to make ourselves and others feel more fearful, or less, by the way we behave.
Ideas for sermons or interactive talks
A combination of good luck and hard work leaves some of us better equipped than others, physically, mentally and materially, to make choices about our health and general wellbeing. To be born into a comfortable home in a peaceful society gives some people enormous advantages over others born into poverty and conflict. The opportunities then offered us for happy relationships, healthy living, good education and rewarding leisure are similarly more advantageous for some than for others – and these are often in place, or not, even before we can begin making choices for ourselves.
Where people lack these initial advantages, it is very often because of the actions of others. We hear about ‘deprived communities’, ‘poor countries’, ‘conflict situations’, ‘structural inequality’ and other similar descriptions; but we need to remember that almost always behind these phrases are people who have taken, or still take, decisions that created or maintained the deprivation, poverty, conflict or inequality. As Mahatma Gandhi wrote: ‘If only everybody took enough for himself [sic] and nothing more, there would be no pauperism in this world, there would be no more dying of starvation in this world.’ (Trusteeship, M K Gandhi, Navajivan Trust Publication-Ahmedabad 1960, page 3)
The Bible teaches only one fear as essential to a proper human life: the fear of the Lord. In this context, ‘fear’ means deep respect, reverence and awe for God's authority. It does not mean a terror that leaves us cowering and impotent. Fear of the Lord produces confident (Proverbs 14.26; 19.23), wise (Proverbs 8.13; Isaiah 33.6) and right-living believers (Psalm 111.10; 112.1).
Fearing God, we have nothing else to fear, as the hymn says, and so can devote our energy to addressing the causes of fear in others, by loving and caring for them. Human experience will continue to be a mixture of the good, the bad and the humdrum, but our calling is to tip the balance of everyone’s experience ever more towards the good.
Questions for discussion
- What are we afraid of? (Range as broadly as you like on this one!)
- Why do we take more than we need?
- What more can we do, as individuals, as a Church, as a society, to address our own and other peoples’ fears?
Robert Beard is freelance writer, NHS worker and Church of England priest.
Check-in
Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
Do you wonder how it felt for Peter? He almost asked Jesus to summon him and then off he set. It must have been a remarkable feeling. He probably walked tall, inviting people to see him, called by Jesus and walking across the lake. Then he feels the wind and panic sets in. He starts to sink. His response is immediate. ‘Save me, Jesus!’ he cries. Jesus reaches out and pulls him to safety. It’s a shame he didn’t remember the slogan ‘Keep calm and carry on.’
This week once more wildfires are hitting parts of Europe. Around 800 firefighters attended a fire near the southern town of Odemira in Portugal overnight on Monday, with more than 1,400 people having to evacuate. At least nine people have been injured tackling the fires. Perhaps they are wondering what they have got themselves into as they see the inferno in front of them.
These firefighters are called by God to serve their community in this way. They too face dangers that at times must seem overwhelming. For many there must be moments of panic as they wonder how they are going to get out of this situation.
To the Portuguese firefighters (and to all those fighting fires around the world) Jesus holds out his hand. To each one he shows his loving care and offers to pull them through and to us as we face whatever the week holds for us when we cry out ‘save me’ he will reach out his hand and pull us to safety.
Loving Lord who walked across the water, watch over all firefighters.
Protect them from harm as they fight fires, save lives, and preserve property.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Stuart Wild is a Methodist minister serving on the Lancashire coast.
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