“The Fear That Draws Us In” by John Piper
Exodus 20:20 — Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.
There is a fear that is slavish and drives us away from God, and there is a fear that is sweet and draws us to God. Moses warned against the one and called for the other in the very same verse, Exodus 20:20: “Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.’”
The clearest illustration I have ever seen of this kind of fear was the time one of my sons looked a German shepherd in the eye. We were visiting a family from our church. My son Karsten was about seven years old. Their big dog met us in the doorway and stood eye to eye with our son, and Karsten was very much afraid. Our friend said, “Don’t be afraid; she’s very friendly.” Karsten relaxed, the dog was indeed a very nice dog, and the two of them were friends in no time.
A little while later we sent Karsten to the car to get something we’d forgotten, and he went trotting out. The dog came galloping up behind him with a low growl in her voice. It did not then look like the dog was safe, and again, Karsten was afraid. Dick hollered out to him, “Oh, Karsten, why don’t you just walk? Our dog is friendly and safe, but she doesn’t like it when people to run away from her.” If Karsten hugged the dog, she was friendly and would even lick his face. But if he ran from the dog, the dog would growl and fill Karsten with fear.
And I took a mental note: “That’s going to be in a sermon, because that is exactly the way God is.” He is a very friendly God. He just doesn’t like people to run away from him. If you do, he will lope after you with a deep rumble in his voice. And if you don’t heed that rumble and turn and hug his neck, it will not be good for you—forever.
That is a picture of what it means to fear the Lord. God means for his power and holiness to kindle fear in us, not to drive us from him, but to drive us to him. Only when we try to run away from God do we need to fear Him.
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Luke 12:4-5 — (Jesus said), “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
Luke 2:8-12 — There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Psalm 111:10 — The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
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Dear Lord, give us the faith to fear, love, and trust in you above all things. Amen.
–Prayer based on Martin Luther’s catechism explanation to the First Commandment “You shall have no other gods before me.”
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