“Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:
‘Would you discredit my justice?
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?’” (Job 40:6,8)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)

We have all heard the precept to fear the Lord our God. But what does it mean? Are we to view God as some unreachable deity ready to squash us like a bug when He is not pleased with us? Are we to diminish His glory, dismissing fear as an Old Testament notion with the “Jesus is my friend” mantra? Or do we cast aside the fear of God as an insignificant concept that’s irrelevant to our relationship with Him.

In truth, the fear of God is so fundamental to our relationship with Him that the Lord included 42 chapters in Job to instruct us on how and why we should fear Him.

It was Job’s fear of God which drew the Lord’s esteem (1:8). It was Job’s fear of God which fueled his upright and virtuous actions (2:3). It was his fear of God which Satan called into question declaring, “Does Job fear God for nothing?” (1:8–11). It was his fear which kept him from sinning in response to the immeasurable loss of his wealth and the torturing loss of his health (1:22; 2:10).

But it was Job’s fear of losing his reputation that caused him to take his eyes off the Lord. In doing so he lost his footing and fell into sin. In chapters 3-37, Job’s friends attempted to convince him his present circumstances could only be explained as being a result of his own folly, for surely God was just and would not cast such tragedy on an innocent man. In defending his character, Job recited his righteous actions and demanded that God explain what he had done to receive such punishment in light of his virtuous life.

Job feared losing his reputation above his relationship with God. In his pride he elevated himself, which was equivalent to pushing God from His throne and stealing His glory. He therefore warranted the stern reprimand he received from God Himself!

To fear God is not to render Him unreachable, diminished or irrelevant. To fear God is to fear the loss of His presence above all else, including possessions, people, health, power, position, title, or reputation. It is to stand, kneel, bow, or fall prostrate before Him in awe, keenly aware that the greatest loss to be endured is eternal separation from Him! When our greatest fear becomes the loss of His presence, all earthly losses fall into perspective.