"Then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God."

-- Proverbs 2:5

All my life I have heard Christians trying to explain what "the fear of the

Lord" is. Some say it is "reverent awe." Others say it is "dread." Others

say it is "abject terror."

I would like to suggest that what it is depends on where you are. Let me use

an illustration I've used before. When I'm inside my brother-in-law's semi

truck going 70 mph down the highway, I'm very comfortable. But I am afraid

to stand out in the road in front of it. I know that I don't have the

ability to stop 40,000 pounds of metal moving at 70 mph. I would get squashed.

So, inside the semi, I am completely at peace. Outside the semi, I have a

healthy respect for it. In the path of the semi, I would be scared like

crazy unless and until I got out of the way. Same fear, different location.

So the fear of the Lord must not be mistaken for a desire on God's part to

terrorize His children. Instead, it is an invitation to come inside and be at peace.

Be encouraged!

Dwight