Embracing Holy Fear: Drawing Closer to God

Devotional

Day 1: The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

True wisdom begins with a holy, reverent fear of God, not with dread or anxiety, but with awe and respect for His majesty and authority. This kind of fear is not negative; it is the foundation for understanding, obedience, and a life that honors God. When we recognize who God truly is—His power, His holiness, and His love—we are drawn to worship and to live wisely, seeking to align our lives with His will. Let your heart be open to the kind of fear that draws you closer to God, not away from Him, and let it be the starting point for every decision and every act of worship. [43:26]

Psalm 111:10 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to invite God’s wisdom by approaching Him with greater reverence and awe today?

Day 2: Holy Fear Draws Us Into Intimacy with God

Holy fear is not about being terrified of God, but about being so in awe of His greatness and love that it draws us into deeper friendship and intimacy with Him. This reverence opens the door to God’s secret counsel, His covenant, and a relationship that is far more than casual acquaintance. God desires to share His heart with those who honor Him, to reveal His plans and purposes, and to walk closely with us as true friends. When we approach God with holy fear, we find ourselves welcomed into His presence and entrusted with His truth. [58:52]

Psalm 25:14 (NIV)
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

Reflection: In what practical way can you cultivate a deeper sense of awe and intimacy with God in your daily routine this week?

Day 3: Holy Fear Transforms Our Obedience

Obedience that flows from holy fear is rooted in love and reverence, not in legalism or obligation. When we truly grasp who God is and what He has done for us, our response is a willing surrender and a desire to please Him. This kind of obedience is transformative—it purifies our motives, aligns our actions with God’s will, and leads to genuine spiritual growth. Rather than being forced or begrudging, our obedience becomes a joyful expression of our relationship with God, shaped by His Spirit and His truth. [01:00:38]

Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Reflection: Is there an area where your obedience to God has become routine or forced? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to renew your heart with reverence and joy in that area?

Day 4: Holy Fear Sets Us Free from All Other Fears

When we honor God with holy fear, we find a boldness and confidence that frees us from the fear of man, the fear of failure, and the fear of the unknown. God’s presence becomes our refuge, and His covering gives us strength to face whatever comes our way. This freedom is not about living recklessly, but about living securely in the knowledge that God is for us, with us, and working all things for our good. As we walk in holy fear, we experience the fullness of God’s freedom and the assurance that we are never alone. [01:05:35]

Proverbs 14:26 (NIV)
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

Reflection: What fear has been holding you back lately, and how can you surrender it to God today, trusting in His protection and freedom?

Day 5: Trembling at God’s Word Restores Holy Awe

To tremble at God’s Word is to approach Scripture with humility, reverence, and a readiness to be transformed. It means allowing God’s truth to shake us out of complacency and to rekindle a sense of awe in our hearts. In a culture that often treats God casually, we are called to restore holy fear in our homes, churches, and personal lives—standing in awe of His majesty and letting His Word shape our every thought and action. Ask the Holy Spirit to restore the awe of God in your heart, so that you may honor Him not just with your words, but with your whole life. [01:07:57]

Isaiah 66:2 (NIV)
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

Reflection: When was the last time you allowed God’s Word to truly shake and transform you? What step can you take today to approach Scripture with fresh humility and awe?

Sermon Summary

Time passes quickly, and as we grow older, we often find ourselves reflecting on how fleeting the years are, even as our days feel long. In the midst of this, it’s easy to lose sight of the awe and reverence we should have for God. Today, the focus is on the nature of fear—how it shapes us, how it can be both negative and positive, and, most importantly, how holy fear draws us closer to God rather than pushing us away.

Fear is a universal experience. Whether it’s the acute fear of a bear print on a family hike, the anxiety of public speaking, or the chronic fears that linger in our hearts, we all know what it means to be afraid. Some fears are protective and wise, while others are learned or even superstitious. But Scripture teaches that there is a kind of fear—the fear of the Lord—that is the beginning of wisdom. This isn’t a fear that drives us away from God, but one that draws us into deeper intimacy with Him.

Too often, we trivialize God, reducing Him to a casual friend or “homeboy,” forgetting that He is holy, just, and worthy of our awe. When we lose our sense of being awestruck by God, we miss out on the depth of relationship He desires with us. The vastness of creation, the intricacy of our own bodies, and the sacrifice of Jesus all point to a God who is beyond our comprehension and yet invites us into friendship and intimacy.

Holy fear transforms how we live. It’s not about forced obedience or legalism, but about a reverence that leads to willing surrender. When we obey God out of awe for who He is, our lives are purified and aligned with His purposes. Holy fear keeps us anchored, delivering us from the fear of man, failure, and the unknown. It sets us free to walk in boldness and confidence, knowing that God’s hand is upon us.

The challenge is to restore holy fear in our hearts, homes, and churches—to tremble at God’s word, to stand in awe of His majesty, and to let that reverence shape every aspect of our lives. This is not just an emotional response, but a posture of the heart that leads to transformation and freedom.

Key Takeaways

1. Holy fear draws us into intimacy with God. The world teaches that fear separates, but Scripture reveals that reverent fear brings us closer to God, allowing us to experience His secret counsel and true friendship. This intimacy is not casual but marked by deep respect and surrender, where God reveals His covenant and purposes to us. [58:52]
2. Obedience born from awe, not obligation, transforms our lives. When we obey God out of reverence for His holiness and love, our actions are rooted in relationship rather than legalism. This kind of obedience purifies us in private and empowers us to live authentically in public, anchoring us in God’s will. [63:10]
3. Holy fear keeps us aligned with God’s character and purposes. Recognizing God as both judge and savior, mighty king and loving father, helps us embrace the fullness of who He is. This alignment delivers us from lesser fears and grounds us in the security of His eternal relationship with us. [64:14]
4. Reverence for God sets us free from bondage to fear. When we honor God with holy fear, we walk in boldness and confidence, knowing that He is our refuge and covering. This freedom is not the absence of challenges, but the assurance that God’s presence and protection are greater than any circumstance. [65:35]
5. Trembling at God’s word rekindles awe and transforms our hearts. It’s easy to become casual or overly familiar with spiritual truths, but true reverence leads us to humility and a renewed sense of wonder. Asking the Holy Spirit to restore holy fear in us positions our hearts for ongoing transformation and deeper relationship with God. [67:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:55] - The Frustration with Technology and Beauty in Creation
[42:27] - Opening Prayer and Setting the Tone
[43:26] - What Are You Afraid Of?
[44:34] - The Bear Print Story: Evidence and Fear
[46:06] - Fear in Everyday Life and Types of Fear
[48:19] - How Fear Is Taught and Passed Down
[54:36] - Losing Our Awe of God
[56:37] - The Vastness of God and His Creation
[57:34] - God’s Plan and the Sacrifice of Jesus
[58:52] - Holy Fear Draws Us Close
[59:34] - True Friendship with God
[60:38] - Holy Fear Changes How We Live
[63:10] - Legalism vs. Relationship
[64:14] - Holy Fear Keeps Us Aligned
[65:35] - Holy Fear Sets Us Free
[67:57] - Trembling at God’s Word
[69:09] - Awe as a Position of the Heart
[70:16] - A Call to Response and Reflection
[72:42] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 111:10 (NIV) — > The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalm 25:14 (NIV) — > The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV) — > Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 111:10, what is the result of fearing the Lord?
In Psalm 25:14, what special relationship does God offer to those who fear Him?
The sermon described different types of fear, both negative and positive. What are some examples of each that were mentioned? [[48:19]]
Hebrews 12:28-29 talks about worshiping God with “reverence and awe.” How does this compare to the way people often think about God today? [[54:36]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon said that holy fear draws us closer to God, while other kinds of fear push us away. Why do you think reverent fear leads to intimacy with God instead of distance? [[58:52]]
The pastor shared that sometimes we treat God too casually, almost like a “homeboy” or just a buddy. What are the dangers of losing our sense of awe and reverence for God? [[54:36]]
The difference between obedience out of awe and obedience out of obligation was highlighted. How does the motivation behind our obedience affect our relationship with God? [[01:03:10]]
The sermon mentioned that holy fear sets us free from other fears (like fear of people, failure, or the unknown). How does a right view of God’s holiness and love help us overcome these other fears? [[01:05:35]]

Application Questions

The pastor asked everyone to think about something that causes fear in their life. What is one fear you struggle with, and how might seeing God with holy fear change your response to it? [[43:26]]
When was the last time you felt truly awestruck by God—either in worship, in nature, or reading Scripture? What would it look like to recapture that sense of awe in your daily life? [[54:36]]
The sermon challenged us to examine whether we obey God out of duty or out of reverence and love. Think about a recent decision or action—was it motivated by obligation or by awe of God? How can you shift your motivation? [[01:03:10]]
The pastor said that holy fear purifies us in private so we can live authentically in public. Are there areas of your private life where you need to invite God’s purifying presence? What’s one step you can take this week? [[01:04:14]]
The message called us to “tremble at God’s word.” How can you approach your Bible reading or prayer time differently this week to cultivate more reverence and humility? [[01:07:57]]
The sermon warned against treating God too casually. Are there ways in your home or church life where you’ve become too casual with God? What practical changes could help restore a sense of holy fear? [[01:10:16]]
The pastor said that holy fear leads to freedom and boldness, not bondage. Is there a situation where you need to step out in boldness, trusting that God is your refuge? What would that look like for you? [[01:05:35]]

Sermon Clips

When I ask you to think of something that brings fear to you in your life, there's a good chance that it was something negative. Is that fair to say? Did your brain already take you somewhere negative when I said that? Even though, ironically, we had just got through singing about, I will have—what did you sing?—that I will have no fear. But when I ask that simple question, you begin to think about something that was a negative fear to you. Truth is, there's all types of fears in this world. [00:48:42] (38 seconds) #FearShapesPerception

God is holy. God is just. And what I'm concerned about in our world today, that we've lost being awestruck at God. When was the last time you stood before or laid prostrate before a holy God and just stood in his presence and said, You are awesome, God? [00:54:38] (29 seconds) #AwestruckByGod

Jesus isn't your homeboy. He's not. He's your Lord. That means complete surrender, complete submission. He's your master. He's your savior. The psalmist is referring to a friend that sticks closer to a brother. It's like the Jonathan and David type friendship. A true friend will tell you the hard truth. How many of you know that God's word is hard truth at times? [00:59:41] (35 seconds) #JesusIsLordNotBuddy

Forced religion based on legalism leads to a religious spirit. But the Bible teaches about a true religion that's built on relationship, humbleness, and complete surrender. Remember, Scripture teaches us that obedience is better than sacrifice. [01:03:30] (23 seconds) #TrueReligionIsRelationship

The fear of God keeps us anchored. It purifies us. When we have holy fear, we understand who we're talking to and who's talking to us. When we keep that in correct perspective, then what we find out is it purifies us in the secret places so that our heart is right in the public places. [01:03:53] (22 seconds) #FearPurifiesHeart

Godly fear helps us embrace the both end. He is our judge and he's our savior. He's both mighty, mighty king, and he's a loving father. When we believe in Christ for salvation, we ask him to be what? Both Lord and Savior. [01:04:34] (20 seconds) #GodIsJudgeAndSavior

There's a boldness that comes when we honor God with holy fear because we walk in God's covering. Can you imagine if we just spent our days walking, realizing that God has got his hand upon us? He's got angels surrounding us. He, God has our best in mind. It may not show up in the way we think it should show up. It may not happen the way we think it should happen. [01:05:50] (24 seconds) #BoldnessInGodsCovering

When we walk in holy fear, we are not in bondage, but we live in the fullness of freedom. We run from sin because we're captivated by the glory of God. Somebody say freedom. Freedom. We experience freedom. [01:06:34] (16 seconds) #FreedomInHolyFear

To tremble at his word is to regard God with reverence that he and he alone deserves. I want to challenge you this morning, church. I'm challenging myself that we restore holy fear in our homes and in our churches and in our neighborhoods and in our individual hearts to where we stand in awe. [01:08:38] (24 seconds) #ReverenceRestoresFear

Standing in all of God is not just an emotion. We're Pentecostal. We can have some emotion, right? Nothing wrong with that. God gave us emotions. It's wonderful to get excited, wonderful to cry, wonderful to shout, all that. That's important. It's who we are as humans. But it's more than an emotion. It's a position of the heart that transforms our everyday lives. [01:09:22] (26 seconds) #HeartPositionTransforms

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