The Benefits Of Fearing The Lord Series

The Benefits of Fearing the Lord (Part 2)

July 2/3, 2005

Don Jaques

MAIN IDEA: Those who fear the Lord are blessed with God’s protection.

AIM: Those who hear this message will be motivated to live in the fear of the Lord because of the many promises God makes to those who will do so.

INTRO:

Two weeks ago…blessings of WISDOM and an INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

This week: GOD’S PROTECTION.

PROTECTION:

LENGTHENED LIFE

Prov. 10:27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

Prov. 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Remember – Proverbs describe life the way it tends to be – they are not prescriptive for every situation. Solomon observed the way life goes and with God’s help penned these wise sayings. One can always cite exceptions to these principles – but the wisdom can be trusted nevertheless.

For example – Christian musicians Keith Green and Rich Mullins both died young – in the prime of their lives – while living lives totally sold out to God.

Nevertheless, God’s wisdom shows that people who live in the fear of the Lord can be expected to live a lengthened life.

It is interesting that not only is this found in scripture, but modern science is proving this to be true as well.

Technicianonline.com – Nov 2004 –

Religious people live longer and healthier lives than their non-religious counterparts, according to several studies released by Duke University Medical Center recently….

Koenig’s research has found that religious people spend less time in the hospital, are healthier, recover faster and avoid depression or recover from it quickly.

Research also shows that people of faith are less likely to use addictive substances.

One of the largest studies to date on the subject by researchers at the University of California at Berkeley produced similar results in a 28-year study of 5,000 people aged 21 to 65 years old.

The study found that people who attended religious services at least once a week had a 23 percent lower risk of dying over the study period than people who attended less frequently.

So… people who fear the Lord will deal with stress better than others – our priorities are lined up. We know what is really important – we have an eternal perspective on the troubles we endure, and we can laugh at the days to come because we know the end of the story (and we win!)

People who fear the Lord understand that their body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and will be spared the health consequences of substance abuse, which cuts life spans short.

The fear of the Lord leads to the blessing of a longer life.

AVOID EVIL

A second way the fear of the Lord brings protection to our lives is by keeping us from evil and the consequences of it in our lives.

Prov. 16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

ILLUS: Learning to drive my instructor told me to put a yellow “turtle” under the car without the wheels hitting it. Being inexperienced I ended up hitting the turtle with the passenger side wheels. Clunk!

With more experience in driving I can now navigate around those things and avoid the CLUNKS!

In my walk with the Lord, I’ve learned there are ways to avoid spiritual CLUNKS. When I fear the Lord my awareness of sinful areas in my life begins to heighten. And when this awareness grows – I am more prone to avoid those situations where I may be tempted. And when I avoid evil in this way – I am spared all the complicated consequences of evil in my life – most importantly the distance it places between me and my loving Creator.

REFUGE FOR CHILDREN

Deut. 5:29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Prov. 14:26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

Peter tells us that the devil is like a roaring lion prowling around looking for someone to devour. You want to keep the lion away from your home and your children? Fear the Lord.

If you fear the Lord your house turns into a secure fortress, with the gates up against the approach of the enemy.

We parents worry about the effects of the world upon our children. There are many things to fear and the dangers are real.

But here God’s word teaches us there is a way to give our children a refuge from the onslaught of evil. Fear the Lord. Make your home a sanctuary where God is honored above all else. And not only you – but your children as well, will be protected from evil and blessed by the Lord.