Godly fear, often understood as a reverent awe and respect for the Almighty, is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. It is a profound recognition of God's holiness, power, and justice, coupled with a deep love and trust in His character. Those who possess godly fear are often depicted as recipients of God's mercy, a divine favor that is both unmerited and transformative.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of godly fear is rooted in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This fear is not a paralyzing dread but a foundational element of a righteous life, leading to wisdom and understanding.

Examples of Godly Fear and Mercy

1. Noah: Noah is a prime example of one who feared God and received His mercy. In a world filled with corruption, Noah "found favor in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8) because he was "a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries" and "walked with God" (Genesis 6:9). His reverent fear led him to obey God's command to build the ark, resulting in the salvation of his family from the flood.

2. Abraham: Abraham's fear of God is evident in his willingness to obey God's command to sacrifice his son Isaac. In Genesis 22:12, the angel of the LORD says, "Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me." Abraham's fear and obedience resulted in God's mercy, as He provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice and reaffirmed His covenant blessings.

3. The Israelites: Throughout their history, the Israelites experienced God's mercy when they turned to Him in godly fear. In 2 Chronicles 20:3-4, King Jehoshaphat, facing a vast army, "resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD." Their collective fear and seeking of God led to divine intervention and victory over their enemies.

4. The Ninevites: The people of Nineveh, upon hearing Jonah's message of impending judgment, demonstrated godly fear by believing God, proclaiming a fast, and wearing sackcloth. Jonah 3:10 states, "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them." Their fear and repentance resulted in God's mercy and the sparing of their city.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, godly fear continues to be associated with receiving God's mercy. The early church lived in the fear of the Lord, which was accompanied by the comfort of the Holy Spirit and growth in numbers (Acts 9:31). The apostle Paul exhorts believers to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12), emphasizing a life of reverence and obedience.

The Role of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate expression of God's mercy. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, those who fear God and place their faith in Christ receive the mercy of salvation. Hebrews 5:7 highlights Jesus' own godly fear: "During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence."

Conclusion

The Scriptures consistently affirm that godly fear is a pathway to experiencing God's mercy. It is a heart posture that acknowledges God's sovereignty and responds with trust and obedience. Those who cultivate such fear are assured of His compassionate and gracious response, as He delights in showing mercy to those who revere Him.Psalm 103:11,17
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:50
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Fear which Terminates in the Second Death.
... Yea, and all who will live godly in Christ ... But those who cannot, "endure hardness
as good soldiers""who ... will bring misery upon them far beyond their fear! ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xx the fear which.htm

God.
... trembling;" for then you have solid and godly joy: a ... worshippers, and his wrath and
judgment upon those that worship ... not keep him from dread and fear of God's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/i god.htm

Hebrews xii. 18-24
... we [3431] serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ... there is nothing of
this to fear,"lest after ... cast the most; or rather, more than those who cast ...
/.../homily xxxii hebrews xii 18-24.htm

The Confession of the Society of Friends, Commonly Called Quakers. ...
... better things, they cease in such as have obtained the ... and which leads into sobriety,
gravity, and godly fear; in which ... is felt to attend us in those actions in ...
/.../the confession of the society.htm

So Likewise Ye, when Ye Shall have done all those Things
... knowledge of God, so that we truly fear Him, truly ... This can be better understood
by the godly than those ... And those who merit them can bestow these merits upon ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 10 so likewise ye.htm

Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... Godly Fear and its Goodly Consequence. ... He says the text means that the children of
those that fear God shall have a place of refuge, and if so, this is not ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/godly fear and its goodly.htm

Reverence in Worship.
... with reverence and godly fear," as St. ... own words in solemn worship, but either those
which Christ ... a number of short petitions, such as "Lord, have mercy upon us ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon i reverence in worship.htm

Accusers Challenged
... All three of these godly men were martyred - - - burned at ... in that character, in
favour of those who put ... exclude them from His mercy; or they fear that they do ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlvi accusers challenged.htm

The Author to the Reader.
... make bates) incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are ... and such as tempt the
Lord have no ground ... of all things within them, in godly fear hide themselves ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/the author to the reader.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... They teach them to fear the Lord, and live in ... We sometimes see godly parents, who
had labored before in ... off, and the warnings and counsels of those who loved ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

What does it mean to have the fear of God? | GotQuestions.org

How can I overcome the fear of death? How can I stop being scared of dying? | GotQuestions.org

Is there any reason to fear going into a cemetery / graveyard? | GotQuestions.org

Fear: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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