True Fear of God in Action
See how fearing God shaped the lives of Daniel and Joseph—and how it can shape yours today. True fear of God is obedience, courage. True Fear of God in Action
What Is the Fear of God?
Proverbs 9:10 declares, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” This fear is not about being scared of God as a tyrant; it is about recognizing His holiness, justice, power, and majesty—and responding with humble submission and reverence. It is the kind of fear that leads to obedience, worship, and moral courage.
True Fear of God in Action – Daniel: Faithfulness Despite Threats
In Daniel 6, King Darius was manipulated into signing a decree that forbade anyone from praying to any god or man except the king himself for 30 days. The penalty was death in a den of lions. But Daniel, a faithful servant of the Most High, did not flinch. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house… he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10). Daniel could have reasoned with himself to wait out the 30 days or pray in secret. But his fear of God outweighed his fear of men. His reverence for God’s commands and his intimate devotion to prayer took precedence over any human decree. This is the true fear of God: unwavering loyalty to Him regardless of the consequences. Daniel understood that pleasing God was more important than preserving his life. His fear was not of lions, but of dishonoring his Lord. True Fear of God in Action
True Fear of God in Action – Joseph: Integrity in the Face of Temptation
Joseph’s fear of God was revealed not in public defiance but in private purity. In Genesis 39, while serving in Potiphar’s house, he was repeatedly seduced by Potiphar’s wife. As a young man, alone in a foreign land, with no family watching and every opportunity to indulge—Joseph chose holiness.“How then could I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Joseph’s resistance wasn’t merely about loyalty to Potiphar; it was about loyalty to God. He feared sinning against the One who had never abandoned him. That fear—rooted in love and honour—led him to flee temptation, even when it cost him his reputation and freedom. True fear of God manifests in private integrity just as much as public courage. Joseph knew that God sees what man does not, and that was enough to keep him on the path of righteousness. True Fear of God in Action
Why the Fear of God Matters Today?
The examples of Daniel and Joseph are not distant stories—they are blueprints for the believer’s life today. The world still presents its “decrees” and temptations, whether through cultural pressure, compromise, or moral relativism. But the fear of God keeps us grounded, reminding us that our highest allegiance is not to governments, peers, or even ourselves—but to our Creator. Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 10:28: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” The fear of God liberates us from the fear of everything else.
Living in the Fear of the Lord
Revere His Word more than the opinions of men. Obey His commands even when it costs us comfort, status, or relationships. Seek His presence as our highest joy and priority. Guard our hearts in private as much as we act in public. Trust His sovereignty, knowing He rewards those who honor Him. True Fear of God in Action.
Bible verse
Proverbs 28:14 – Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always
