There is a
phrase in scripture that seems to have a few “colors” (nuances). That phrase is
“the fear of Jehovah” (or, “the fear of God”, “the fear of the Lord”). In some
cases, this might be understood as having implicit trust in God, regardless of
the situation.
Let me
illustrate: A young person has been raised by his (or her) parents to reject
any offers of drugs. But one day at school, he is approached by peers and
offered drugs. Now, out of peer pressure (a fear of displeasing his peers),
that young person hesitates, looks around, and sees no one else. He (or she)
then accepts the drugs. But now, what if there were police watching this and
the child got arrested? Later his parents are summoned to the police station.
The
parents look at their child without a word. Can you imagine the shock,
embarrassment and sadness the child would feel? The child may have actually
truly loved his parents, just not enough to stand up to peers. If that
child had greater respect (fear) of displeasing his parents, he should have
rejected the offer without hesitation. Apparently, the child didn't have such
respect. (Some may want to argue that perhaps the child was just trying to
avoid a confrontation and actually planned to throw the drugs away, but that
was not the training and instructions he received. Even if he tries to explain
his actions that way, what will be the likelihood of his parents or the police believing
him?)
The fear
of Jehovah is the same way. We fear displeasing God more than we fear whatever
others may do to us. Just as the wisest action the child should have taken was
to completely and immediately reject the drug offer, the wisest action those
claiming to worship God in truth can take is to act exactly as God directs. One
of the greatest (in my mind) scriptural examples of this are the three Hebrews
who were threatened with being burned alive if they didn't fall down and
worship a statue that pagan king had made. Their unwavering loyalty to God was
demonstrated in their response. (Daniel
3:16-18)
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